Peter Gutwein to give update on borders as Victoria hit with five-day lockdown
Tasmania has closed its border with Victoria over that state’s worsening coronavirus outbreak, with recently returned travellers being urged to “do the right thing” and self-isolate.
Tasmania
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PREMIER Peter Gutwein has warned returned travellers from Victoria against flouting self-isolation requirements, saying the community is depending on them to do the right thing.
Tasmania on Friday slammed shut its borders to Victoria amid a worsening outbreak of coronavirus linked to a quarantine hotel in Melbourne, labelling it high-risk.
As Victoria went into a five-day, stage four lockdown, all other states and territories have also changed their travel rules.
WA introduce a hard border with Victoria for 72 hours from 6pm on Friday, while Queensland will close its border to Melbourne from 1am on Saturday.
In NSW, anyone who recently entered the state from Victoria must follow the same stay-at-home rules that apply in the southern state until Wednesday.
Arrivals into Tasmania from Victoria from midnight on Friday will have to isolate for 14 days, either at suitable private premises or in government quarantine hotels.
A specific travel alert has been sparked after a positive case was identified in a worker at the Brunetti cafe at Melbourne Airport’s terminal 4, which was declared a hot spot.
Any Tasmanian who attended the cafe on February 9 between 4.45am and 1.15pm has been urged to immediately self-isolate, contact the Public Health Hotline and arrange a COVID-19 test.
Anyone who was within terminal 4 at all on that day is also being asked to self-isolate.
Further, those who were at Tullamarine Airport on February 7 or 8 and who are now in Tasmania are being told to monitor for symptoms of coronavirus and get tested if they develop.
Public Health Director Mark Veitch said it was estimated between 800-1000 Tasmanians had passed through terminal 4 on February 9 — with authorities working to contact them.
Mr Gutwein described the situation as a “serious moment” for Tasmania.
“We’re on the cusp of a weekend. The last thing we want is somebody that has been in terminal 4 in that airport on that particular day that actually goes out tonight and infects hundreds of people in a nightclub or in a pub,” he said.
“If you have been to Melbourne, come out of terminal 4 into Tasmania, please be mindful to self-isolate and do the right thing. We’re depending on you.
“If you don’t self-isolate when you’re requested to and you are symptomatic, then what you could do is end up shutting parts of this state down.”
Dr Veitch said one traveller currently in Tasmania had come forward to say they had been in one of 28 defined hot spots in Victoria.
They are in quarantine and have tested negative to the virus.
Dr Veitch said the more highly transmissible mutant strain of the virus was of great concern.
“Should it get established there would be an absolute need to impose the sort of measures that Victoria is going to experience over the next five days, really quickly to contain the infection,” he said.
“It is absolutely certain that we must pick up any cases that occur early and of course I hope there are none here.”
Tasmania has not recorded any community transmission cases since May.
Four cases of COVID-19 were detected among a group of returned Australian travellers on a mercy flight from India in December.
They were identified during mandatory quarantine.
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A NEW campaign backed by the Tasmanian Hospitality Association and state government has been launched to encourage the public to be COVID-safe in venues.
The “Play it Safe” initiative will be rolled out on television, social media and in venues, encouraging patrons to respect staff, follow directions and embrace a “new normal”.
The campaign includes promoting the importance of contact tracing, using hand sanitiser and practising social distancing.
The THA said abuse of hospitality staff was rare but was still occurring in some venues.
“It is easy to become complacent when we’re out and about enjoying ourselves,” THA chief executive Steve Old said. “I’ve done it myself, walking into a venue and forgetting to use the sanitiser.
“That’s why it’s important for us to do our best to make COVID-safe behaviours our new normal and to follow and respect staff directions.
“We hope this campaign serves as a constant reminder of the actions we must still take to protect ourselves and each other.”
Liberal Lyons MP Mark Shelton said the state government had provided $150,000 to support the campaign.
“We know that the hospitality industry was one of the most impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, and frontline staff are working hard to keep Tasmanians safe,” he said.
“I urge you to be kind, patient and follow the rules to support our hospitality workers and your favourite pub, club, cafe or restaurant.
“We all have a part to play — register your details for contact tracing, wash your hands and practise social distancing.”
Tasmanian hospitality venues were among those businesses hardest hit by COVID-19 restrictions, with nightclubs and pubs in particular suffering from prolonged government-enforced closures.
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Tasmanian authorities have announced a complete border shutdown with Victoria.
Speaking at a press conference on Friday, Premier Peter Gutwein said any Tasmanian who passed through Melbourne’s Tullamarine airport, Terminal 4, on February 9 should seek a COVID test.
Up to 1000 Tasmanians who moved through that terminal are expected to receive a government text messages telling them to get a test.
“We are in a good place and we want to stay there,” Premier Peter Gutwein said.
“Victoria has announced five new cases today and I understand that state has 19 active cases now.
“Victoria Premier Dan Andrews has announced a five day lockdown — a severe lockdown for the whole state from midnight tonight, therefore it’s prudent we respond accordingly.,
“Victoria in its entirety will be declared a high risk state from midnight tonight. We will review that but public health here will determine when that can lift.
“What this means is travellers from Victoria, wanting to enter the state, from midnight tonight, must go through the G2G process.
“Non Tasmanians will be denied entry and will need to apply to the state controller for entry.
“Our message to Victorians is don’t come to Tasmania.
“After midnight, unless there is an essential reason for you being here, please stay in Victoria.
Tasmanians coming from Victoria will need to undertake 14 day isolation, which can be done at home.
“In terms of the ho tspots, as of today, Terminal 4 in Melbourne’s Tullamarine Airport, we are messaging people in Tasmania who may have been in the Brenetti cafe there on February 9 from 4.45am.
“They are being requested to have a test.
“Our intention at this stage, is to not close off the airport to Tasmania, it’s an important transport hub. The measures we have taken in terms of wearing masks at Hobart Airport, which we believe, ensures it’s a very low risk.
“Importantly, I would hope this is a temporary measure. From midnight tonight, those travel restrictions will be implemented and for how long those restrictions stay in place will be a matter for public health.”
Director of Public Health Mark Veitch said: “It’s disappointing to tell the public about Victoria’s situation and our response to it”, adding it was a “very serious national risk”.
Melbourne will be locked down from 11.59pm tonight, with stage four restrictions reintroduced until 11.59pm Wednesday.
Under the five-day Victorian lockdown, face coverings will once again be mandatory outdoors as well as indoors.
Stay-at-home orders will be reintroduced, with only five legal reasons to leave the house.
A 5km limit on travel will also be enforced.
Schools and universities will close, and both private and public gatherings banned.
Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews said the lockdown was needed to prevent a third wave.
“Because this is so infectious and is moving so fast, we need a circuit breaker,” Mr Andrews said.
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