When Tasmania’s borders will open to country: Peter Gutwein gives update

Premier Peter Gutwein has given a date Tasmania’s borders will open to the rest of the country. SEE WHAT STATES WE WILL OPEN TO + WHEN >>

Airplane wing with rainbow. Hobart Airport building is in the background. Hobart, Tasmania, Australia. June 30, 2019.

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Premier Peter Gutwein has announced a date for when Tasmania’s borders will reopen to safe states.

October 26 will be the date borders will reopen to “low-risk jurisdictions” that includes South Australia, Western Australia, Queensland, Northern Territory and the ACT.

There has been no date given to when borders will reopen to Victoria, but New South Wales may open in time.

“New South Wales is looking promising as well but we’ll continue to keep NSW under advisements for the next week or so,” Mr Gutwein said.

Premier Peter Gutwein speaks at a coronavirus update on Friday the 2nd October 2020. Picture: LUKE BOWDEN

Earlier today, Australia and New Zealand reached an agreement to establish a travel bubble between the two nations.

The Tasmanian Government has also been working towards a travel bubble with New Zealand but questions remain over the Hobart Airports international travel capacities.

Premier Peter Gutwein said the decline of COVID cases nationally “filled me with great heart”.

While the date has been set, Mr Gutwein warned border restrictions would return if the situation worsens.

“We won’t hesitate to change this decision,” he said.

While not confirmed, Mr Gutwein said New South Wales is likely to be included in the safe states Tasmanians can travel to and from in the end of October.

Tasmania will not open to Victoria until at least December 1.

“Over this coming month, the public information unit will continue to provide messaging to Tasmanians as per the recommendations to ensure that Tasmanians understand what their responsibilities are and the steps that they are taking,” Mr Gutwein said.

“Again, I would like to thank Tasmanians for continuing to do the right thing and continuing to follow the rules to ensure we protect our people, our health system, our economy and the jobs it supports.

“As we move into the second part of our process and easing our border restrictions, it would be vital that we continue to do the right thing.”

RE-WATCH THE ANNOUNCEMENT HERE >>

Live 2:30pm Premier Peter Gutwein and Dr. Scott McKeown will give a coronavirus update. 🎤 Audio will commence at the start of the press conference.

Posted by The Mercury Newspaper on Thursday, 1 October 2020

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