Border restrictions: Travellers from South Australia to be forced into quarantine
Travellers arriving in Tasmania from South Australia face two weeks of quarantine after the state government declared the state to pose a “medium risk” of coronavirus transmission. LATEST >>
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LATEST, 7PM:
TRAVELLERS arriving in Tasmania from South Australia face two weeks of quarantine after the state government declared the state to pose a “medium risk” of coronavirus transmission.
And 900 travellers who have arrived from the state since November 7 have been asked to stay at home or in their hotels pending further advice.
SEE WHAT THE BORDER RESTRICTIONS MEAN FOR YOU >>
Quarantine-free travel between the two states only resumed in three weeks ago.
Premier Peter Gutwein made the call after 17 people were infected in a growing cluster in Adelaide’s northern suburbs.
“This means people will need to go into mandatory quarantine and if they do not have a suitable residence to quarantine in, they will need to go into government quarantine,” Mr Gutwein said.
“Due to the swift nature of the change here we will cover the costs, initially, for hotel quarantine.”
More advice is expected on Tuesday whether a distinction will be made between people arriving from metropolitan Adelaide and those coming from regional South Australia.
Mr Gutwein urged those considering travelling to Tasmania from South Australia in the next couple of days to “defer their travel” until the SA cluster is “completely understood”.
The Premier said there was a flight from Adelaide expected to land on Monday, as well as a Spirit of Tasmania arrival on Tuesday morning.
Director of Public Health Dr Mark Veitch said South Australia Health was identifying places and times where potentially infectious persons were present.
Mr Gutwein also urged anyone from South Australia not to go to an aged care facility, or a hospital, unless they have prearranged a visit via the Public Health COVID-19 hotline.
Tasmania’s Tourism Industry Council Chief Luke Martin was among the Tasmanian travellers in South Australian caught up in borders uncertainty with Adelaide’s latest virus cluster.
Mr Martin and his wife took the opportunity of the relaxed border restrictions to enjoy a three-day wine-tasting weekend in the state.
They are on a flight back into Hobart this afternoon as the government is looking to implement new restrictions on travel.
“We’re working it out as we speak. I imagine we’re going to have to home quarantine for two weeks,” he said.
“We’re just enjoying our last day of freedom.
“We had a great time, we brought a lot of wine. I think that will be drunk in the next two weeks.
Mr Martin said the South Australian outbreak had been a stark demonstration of the effect of the virus on state economies.
He said the phone at the hotel he checked out of this morning was running hot with cancellations.
“What worries the hell out of me is that one incident, one individual can bring an entire state to its knees,” Mr Martin said.
EARLIER, 3.15PM:
TRAVELLERS from South Australia will be forced into mandatory quarantine if they do not have an appropriate residence in Tasmania.
SEE WHAT THE BORDER RESTRICTIONS MEAN FOR YOU >>
Premier Peter Gutwein made the call this afternoon to declare South Australia a “medium risk” jurisdiction, after 17 people were infected in a growing cluster in Adelaide’s northern suburbs.
Watch the update live via the Mercury’s Facebook page.
“This means people will need to go into mandatory quarantine and if they do not have a suitable residence to quarantine in, they will need to go into government quarantine,” Mr Gutwein said.
“Due to the swift nature of the change here we will cover the costs, initially, for hotel quarantine.”
More advice is expected overnight whether a distinction will be made between metropolitan Adelaide and regional South Australia.
Any travellers from Adelaide who came to Tasmania by Saturday, November 7 will also have to self-isolate while waiting for further updates regarding the outbreak.
Mr Gutwein also urged anyone from South Australia not to go to an aged care facility, or a hospital, unless they have prearranged a visit via the Public Health COVID-19 hotline.
The 900 South Australians that have entered Tasmania since the first infectious case in Adelaide have been sent text messages, according to Director of Public Health Dr Mark Veitch.
UPDATE, 2.45PM:
PREMIER Peter Gutwein is expected to close Tasmania’s borders to South Australians this afternoon amid a dire outbreak.
Since Monday, November 9 around 900 travellers from South Australia have entered Tasmania. They have been directed to self-isolate.
So far, South Australia’s worst cluster to date has gone from bad to worse with 17 cases now tied to the family outbreak.
UPDATE, 11.45AM:
Tasmania’s Tourism Industry Council Chief Luke Martin is among the Tasmanian travellers in South Australian caught up in borders uncertainty with Adelaide’s latest virus cluster.
Mr Martin and his wife took the opportunity of the relaxed border restrictions to enjoy a three-day wine-tasting weekend in the state.
They are on a flight back into Hobart this afternoon as the government is looking to implement new restrictions on travel.
Premier Peter Gutwein has urged those considering travelling to Tasmania from South Australia in the next couple of days to “defer their travel” until the SA cluster is “completely understood”.
Mr Gutwein said those who have entered Tasmania from South Australia since Monday November 9 (about 900 people) should self isolate immediately either in their residence or in their hotel room until the government provided a further update this afternoon.
The Premier is expected to make another announcement regarding South Australia’s borders at 3pm today.
“We’re working it out as we speak. I imagine we’re going to have to home quarantine for two weeks,” he said.
“We’re just enjoying our last day of freedom.
“We had a great time, we brought a lot of wine. I think that will be drunk in the next two weeks.
“The problem I have is that our kids aren’t with us and they might have to go and stay with our in-laws for a bit.”
Mr Martin said the South Australian outbreak had been a stark demonstration of the effect of the virus on state economies.
He said the phone at the hotel he checked out of this morning was running hot with cancellations.
“What worries the hell out of me is that one incident, one individual can bring an entire state to its knees,” Mr Martin said.
He said that it called into question the plan to quarantine Australian returnees in Hobart hotels, given the extra risks it raised.
EARLIER:
Premier Peter Gutwein has urged those considering travelling to Tasmania from South Australia in the next couple of days to “defer their travel” until the SA cluster is “completely understood”.
Mr Gutwein said those who have entered Tasmania from South Australia since Monday November 9 (about 900 people) should self isolate immediately either in their residence or in their hotel room until the government provided a further update this afternoon.
If any returning travellers are experiencing COVID symptoms, they are urged to phone the Public Health hotline to book in for a test.
“This afternoon and through the course of today public health officials will be in contact with South Australian health officials … there will be a meeting today and discussion will take place on SA circumstances,” Mr Gutwein said.
“At this stage we’re not elevating SA to medium risk, same level Victoria is at.
“However, I want to ensure people are aware there will be a further update this afternoon.”
The Premier said there was a flight from Adelaide expected to land this evening, as well as a Spirit of Tasmania arrival tomorrow morning.
“ … If there’s a need to elevate (South Australia) to medium risk, we need to flag to those coming to Tasmania over the next couple of days, it would be sensible to defer their travel until situation in SA has been worked through and completely understood.”
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Watch the announcement via the Mercury Facebook page.
South Australia’s worst cluster to date has gone from bad to worse with 17 cases now tied to the family outbreak.
Speaking to Adelaide’s 5AA Radio this morning, South Australia’s chief public health officer Dr Nicola Spurrier confirmed the Parafield cluster was growing at a rapid rate.
Hungry Jacks Port Adelaide has also been closed and is the latest venue to shut for deep cleaning.
Dr Spurrier described the outbreak as “very serious”.
South Australia yesterday reported three local coronavirus cases among a family that has members working in hotel quarantine, aged and health care and a large prison.
Director of Public Health Dr Mark Veitch said South Australia Health was identifying places and times where potentially infectious persons were present.
“If you are now in Tasmania and have been in South Australia at any time since Monday 9 November, you should immediately self-isolate in your residence or accommodation,” Mr Veitch said.
People who have registered with Tas-e-travel will be contacted by SMS with further advice.
If you are in Tasmania and have recently been in South Australia please be alert for symptoms of coronavirus. If you experience any symptoms, even if they are mild, contact the Public Health Hotline on 1800 671 738 to arrange a test.
“Anyone arriving from South Australia from today will at this stage be required to enter quarantine,” Mr Veitch said.
“Further information is expected from South Australia Health and national discussions later today.”
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