Mayor supports keeping his people in and others out if needed

A North-West city has become the outbreak epicentre of COVID-19 in Tasmania and its leader will support any moves to lock it down.

PREMIER Peter Gutwein says putting the North-West city of Burnie into total lockdown is being considered but harsher control measures could be avoided if the community follows isolation rules.

Burnie has become Tasmania’s coronavirus infection hot spot and an outbreak management team has been established to try to bring it under control.

Tasmanians from outside the region have been calling for the city to be isolated to stop the outbreak affecting other towns.

Mr Gutwein said this morning isolating the community had been considered.

Two of the three people who have died from COVID-19 in Tasmania have done so at the North West Regional Hospital and the facility is linked to 15 infections – 12 health workers, two patients and a contact of an infected patient.

Burnie Mayor Steve Kons said he has supported all the comments and recommendations from Mr Gutwein and Prime Minister Scott Morrison during the emergency.

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“These are the people to listen to, not Facebook rumours and armchair experts,” Cr Kons said this morning.

“The crisis is hitting home now with what is happening at the local hospital and I would support any call for the people of Burnie to stay in the area if it is not essential to travel to other towns.

“Equally, if you live outside Burnie and do not need to come here, don’t.”

This morning there were some people out and about in the CBD but they were “on a mission” and not congregating in groups.

Health authorities say the source of infection at the NWRH had been confined to a particular ward but would not say which part of the hospital it was.

The hospital and its emergency department are still open for now but no new medical or surgical patients are being accepted.

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“A total lockdown of Burnie has been considered but it can be avoided if people there follow the rules. I call on the leaders in that community to make a deafening cry to their people to stay at home and save lives,” Mr Gutwein said.

There will be an increased police presence in the city and surrounds over Easter.

“Do not be surprised if you are pulled over,” Mr Gutwein said.

“All the sacrifices will be for nought if the people of the North-West do not help us get through this.”

His call was echoed by Deputy Premier Jeremy Rockliff, who lives in Sassafras about 60km east of Burnie.

“This is my home turf and I beg you to follow the rules,” Mr Rockliff.

The Burnie City Council will soon mail out a question and answer letter to its residents.

“Many of our residents are older and do not use the internet or access social media for information. The cost of such a mail out would be minimal but the impact significant," Cr Kons said.