Tasmanian borders locked down until December

Premier Peter Gutwein has blamed Victoria’s worsening COVID-19 outbreak for keeping the state’s borders closed, as he announces a slew of local stimulus measures to ensure Tasmanians are holidaying at home. JOIN THE DEBATE >>

• Labor on the attack over ‘essential worker’ exemptions
• Tasmanian businesses call for tight border restrictions to stay

TASMANIA’S borders will remain closed for at least another three months and residents will be given travel vouchers to support the local hospitality and tourism industries.

Premier Peter Gutwein announced the extension of border closures alongside several other measures designed to support businesses affected by the extended disruption to travel.

In a statement in state parliament on Tuesday, he said the risks posed to Tasmania by cross-border travel from states affected by second-wave outbreaks were too great.

WATCH THE PREMIER’S EMPASSIONED SPEECH IN PARLIAMENT BELOW >>

“I am announcing today that based on Public Health advice, our border restrictions will remain in place until at least December 1, 2020, giving time for the COVID-19 situation in other states to be effectively brought under control,” Mr Gutwein told parliament.

“It will also give us time to build the community’s trust in our border measures to protect Tasmania from areas in the rest of the country that pose a high risk, while allowing travel to and from areas that pose a very low risk.

LIVE UPDATE | Tuesday, 18 August.

Posted by Peter Gutwein on Monday, 17 August 2020

“Today’s announcement enables our businesses to prepare for border relaxations in time for our traditionally busier summer period and provides the certainty that our tourism and hospitality industry in particular has been asking for.”

“This will enable our community and our businesses to understand and prepare for border relaxations, and to ensure appropriate planning and risk mitigation processes are in place.

“In regards to extending our border restrictions for a longer period, we also recognise there is a need to do more to help our hospitality and tourism industry.

“Today I’m also announcing (a package to stimulate) intrastate visitation and to support Tasmanians getting out and visiting their own home state.”

Mr Gutwein’s move came as a surprise to opposition parties – who he did not consult or inform in advance – as well as tourism leaders.

The Premier also announced vouchers to Tasmanians to put towards the cost of either accommodation or admission to tourist attractions as they holiday at home.

“Today, we are announcing that we’ll be introducing the ‘Make yourself at home travel voucher’, which means that across the months of September, October and November we’ll be making a total of $7.5m available to encourage Tasmanians to travel outside of their municipality, to stay midweek in accommodation or to purchase a tourism experience for any day of the week,” he told parliament.

Parliament, Tasmanian Premier Peter Gutwein. Picture Chris Kidd

“The support will provide up to $100 towards the cost of a room in commercial accommodation, or up to $50 per booking to participate in a tourism experience whether that be a cruise, a walk or entry to an attraction such as the Port Arthur Historic Site or the Tahune Airwalk.”

Mr Gutwein said the voucher system was expected to support up to 25,000 bed nights or 50,000 “tourism experiences” each month.

Businesses will also be eligible for vouchers for meetings and team-building workshops.

Final details are still being worked out, with the vouchers expected to be made available next month.

And the government will make $1.5m available to schools to help fund for excursions to Tasmanian’s tourism, parks and heritage sites.

The extended closure of the state’s borders poses difficulty for the agricultural sector – particularly in sourcing seasonal workers. Mr Gutwein announced an Agricultural Workforce Resilience Package to help “mobilise Tasmanians looking for work to help with the upcoming planting, production and harvest seasons.”

Follow @DavidJKillick