Premier Peter Gutwein flags new border rules that would allow only fully vaccinated travellers into Tasmania
Only fully vaccinated travellers that have tested negative to Covid would likely be allowed to enter Tasmania once borders re-open, the Premier says. HAVE YOUR SAY >>
Tasmania
Don't miss out on the headlines from Tasmania. Followed categories will be added to My News.
TASMANIAN Premier Peter Gutwein has flagged the likelihood of a no jab, no entry rule that would allow only vaccinated travellers to come into the state once borders fully re-open.
Visitors would also likely need to provide a negative Covid-19 test in the 72 hours before they arrive, with further consideration being given to a testing regime upon arrival.
Mr Gutwein said he would next week release Tasmanian-specific modelling about reopening Tasmania’s borders.
The state government has previously said that would not happen until after 90 per cent of over 16-year-olds in Tasmania had been fully vaccinated.
This milestone is due to happen by December, with borders possibly open before Christmas.
“My expectation is that those who want to travel to Tasmania will need to be fully vaccinated and provide a negative test in the 72 hours before they arrive, with consideration being given to whether there is any testing regime upon arrival,’’ Mr Gutwein said.
“What we know is that when we do open our borders to those larger states, the virus will eventually end up in Tasmania.”
In August, Tasmania’s peak tourism body outlined at its annual conference a proposal to only allow vaccinated travellers to enter the state.
As at Monday, 80.8 per cent of eligible Tasmanians had received a first dose of the vaccine while 65.4 were fully vaccinated.
$79 fares from Tassie to the sunshine state
THE first commercial service between Launceston and the Gold Coast for more than two decades will take off soon, with a major airline saying more than 4000 passengers per month will be able to travel between the destinations.
A Virgin Australia service from Hobart will also take to the skies as more flight routes start to open up nationwide amid increasing vaccination rates.
The airline said its domestic network was expanding in time for the summer holidays, including the first commercial service linking Launceston and Gold Coast in two decades.
Tickets went on sale on Tuesday for flights between Hobart-Gold Coast and Launceston-Gold Coast, starting at $79 one way, with the sale running until Friday unless sold out prior.
Jetstar already offers a direct Hobart-Gold Coast service.
Virgin said seasonal services will operate between the Gold Coast and Launceston and Hobart, with booking flexibility to change or cancel to travel credit with no fees.
The Launceston-Gold Coast service will operate three times per week from December 7 and allow for up to 4,224 additional passengers each month to fly directly between the two cities.
“Virgin Australia is proud to be the first airline to connect Launceston and the Gold Coast in two decades,’’ Virgin Australia’s chief strategy and transformation officer Alistair Hartley said.
“From December up to 4,224 passengers each month can now enjoy the Gold Coast’s spectacular beaches and theme parks and visit Launceston’s lavender estate and the wine region of Tamar Valley.
“For Tasmania, never before has Virgin Australia operated to this many mainland ports from the Apple Isle. Since September, we have announced six new routes to Tasmania, providing a significant boost to local tourism and over 28,000 additional seats each month.”
Tasmania’s Tourism Minister Sarah Courtney said the state’s businesses would welcome extra visitation leading into the important holiday period.
““One of the priority actions highlighted in the T21 Visitor Economy Action Plan was the rapid reintroduction of airline capacity to the State, and its pleasing to see that this has happened with all three major carriers having committed capacity to our State,” she said.
“This is critical to the future of our tourism and hospitality industry, as well as providing Tasmanians with easy access to mainland destinations for holidays or to reconnect with families and friends.”
WATCH: Guide gets perfect vantage point of West Coast bushfires
It was a race to get up to the summit of Mount Oakleigh, but Shaun Mittwollen managed to see the West Coast bushfires better than most. Here’s what it was like seeing the fires so close.
Teacher back in court on child exploitation material charge
A Tasmanian primary school teacher and former journalist charged with allegedly possessing child exploitation material has made a new appearance in a Launceston courtroom.