Premier says fines being considered for virus isolation scofflaws

Premier Peter Gutwein has condemned the actions of a young man who ignored requests to isolate himself to prevent the spread of coronavirus. Now, he says, tough public health laws may be applied.

HEALTH authorities are considering using tough legal powers to fine people who do not obey requests that they self-isolate because of potential coronavirus infection.

Premier Peter Gutwein said the actions of a young man who went to work and visited two Hobart nightclubs while awaiting test results were “unacceptable”.

The man tested positive at the weekend and remains in hospital.

Mr Gutwein appealed to people to obey the directions of medical authorities.

Tasmanian Premier Peter Gutwein. Picture: ZAK SIMMONDS

”There are significant penalties that can be brought to bear, significant financial penalties, up to around $8500 should someone not follow a direction of the Director of Public Health, and we are considering on the use of those powers currently,” Mr Gutwein told reporters.

“The actions in recent days have been unacceptable. We ask that Tasmanians, or visitors if they are here, and they’ve been tested and waiting on a test result to be responsible.”

Under the Public Health Act, the Director of Public Health has the power to direct a person with a notifiable disease to comply with directions to be isolated or quarantined or placed under medical conditions.

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They may also be barred from work or ordered to “refrain from doing anything the Director determines.”

Coronavirus has been listed as a notifiable disease in Tasmania.

In addition to monetary penalties, the Director has the power to, if it is necessary, apply for a warrant for a person’s arrest “for the purposes of managing a threat to public health or a likely threat to public health”.

Mr Gutwein said the Government was open to providing what assistance it could to people awaiting tests results — but said financial support for people who were off work because they had to self-isolate for longer periods was a matter for the federal government.

“In terms of people that are self-isolating for a period of up to 24 hours while they wait for the test we will work with them in terms of their individual circumstances,” he said.

“In terms of a broader package, we’re currently working with the federal government and more will be said later this week in terms of the support for people that need to self-isolate both in terms of transport, in terms of other assistance and also in terms of ensuring that they have the daily supplies that they require.”

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The Premier said there had been 126 coronavirus tests carried out in Tasmania as of yesterday morning, with two positive results — one in Launceston and one in Hobart.

And he said he was confident the state’s hospital system could cope with any increase in the number of cases.