Premier Peter Gutwein extends State of Emergency until October, karaoke, dancing at weddings okay
Darts, 8-ball, karaoke and dancing at weddings return today in the face of an extended State of Emergency. Screenings for arrivals can also expect a big shake up. REWATCH THE UPDATE HERE >>
Tasmania
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UPDATE:
Tasmania’s State of Emergency has been extended in response to the coronavirus pandemic.
The decision was made after advice from State Controller to extend until the end of October.
Premier Peter Gutwein said while Tasmanians enjoy a more relaxed situation than other parts of the nation, people must remain vigilant.
He said the extension would give authorities appropriate time to examine the threats from other states before the desired open date of December 1, and hinted there “may be an opportunity to travel to safe states before then.”
Temperature and symptom screening of all arrivals, including essential workers, will start at the end of this month.
Those who fail the screening will be required to take a COVID-19 test.
All arrivals from hot spots in Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland hotspot travellers will need to be tested and quarantine in a hotel, but residents returning before midnight September 3 will not have to pay.
Approved essential travellers will be contacted by a public health helpline every two days to check up on their condition.
Darts, 8 – ball and karaoke is now allowed but dancing in bar and clubs remains banned.
However, Premier Gutwein announced bridal parties at weddings are now permitted to dance.
“Dancing Nightclubs have been high risk areas and need to be managed very, very carefully,” he said.
The Acting Director of Public Health is Dr Mark Veitch said the key difference in the dancing restrictions was that people at weddings are known to each other and people in clubs and bars often are not.
He said people in pubs and clubs are often untraceable.
“Don’t want to be well known in a bad way because of dancing,” he said.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison stated in recent days that waiting for a vaccine until borders open would be destructive for state’s economies.
However Premier Gutwein said he will continue to act on his current health advice and the state of other jurisdictions
“I’ve been clear and consistent … We will be guided by public health and what the risk is in places we may want to travel to,” he said.
“It will depend on the transmission of the virus and the advice we receive from the Director of Public Health.”
INITIAL: TASMANIAN Premier Peter Gutwein is addressing the public on the latest with COVID-19.
Earlier this morning, the Public Accounts Committee heard that the current State of Emergency is likely to be extended.
The press conference is set to start at 2pm.
WATCH BELOW>>
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