An Air Force KC-30A landed at Hobart airport on Monday carrying sixty ADF members

A date has been set for the reopening of Tasmania’s borders to South Australia as the army flies in to help manage impending international arrivals, with fruit-pickers inbound, and stranded Aussies from India. LATEST >>

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TASMANIA will drop its last remaining border restrictions on Thursday, allowing quarantine-free travel from South Australia.

Premier Peter Gutwein told state parliament this morning the he had been advised that the situation in South Australia warranted relaxation of restrictions introduced after an outbreak there in November.

“As further sign of confidence that the COVID situation is improving in South Australia, Tasmania will reopen its borders to South Australia at midnight on Wednesday, that’s 12.01am this Thursday the 3rd of December,” he said.

“South Australia will be classified as a low-risk area, with the exception of people who have been to certain premises or locations that have been identified by South Australian health as posing high risk.

“These places will be specified by the Director of Public Health and further information we be released later today.

“This is a significant milestone and it means for the first time in nine months Tasmanian borders will be reopened to all states and territories as well as New Zealand.”

Mr Gutwein said he was concerned that the COVID-19 testing rate was falling well below the 500 to 600 per day target statewide.

“It is important that we continue to test,” he said.

Premier Peter Gutwein during question time in State Parliament. Picture: Zak Simmonds

“Over recent days, testing has fallen to around 200 per day on average, which is not high enough.

“Now I can understand why Tasmanians aren’t testing at the moment.

“In many cases, colds and flus have now passed us by, but I would say to Tasmanians please keep your testing up, if you are the slightest flu symptoms, if you are concerned, largest turn up to one of our clinics and get tested.

“It is important as we continue to move through this to keep out testing rate high.”

ADF members from Townsville arrive in Hobart to assist with the arrival of seasonal workers from Timor-Leste and the scheduled chartered flight from India. Picture: NIKKI DAVIS-JONES

ARMY INBOUND FOR COVID-19 REINFORCEMENTS

ARMY personnel has arrived in to Tasmania to help run hotel quarantine for overseas seasonal workers.

An Air Force KC-30A landed at Hobart airport on Monday evening carrying sixty Australian Defence Force members from the Townsville 3rd Brigade.

ADF members from Townsville arrive in Hobart to assist with the arrival of seasonal workers from Timor-Leste and the scheduled chartered flight from India. Picture: NIKKI DAVIS-JONES

The army’s arrival precedes flight carrying 150 seasonal workers from Timor-Leste which is due to land in Hobart on December 2.

Premier Peter Gutwein said while the number of Tasmanians taking up seasonal fruit picking work had doubled to 6000 this year, overseas workers were still required to make up the workforce of around 9000 required by the industry.

Mr Gutwein said overseas workers would undergo 14 days of hotel quarantine including mandatory health screening and COVID-19 testing.

ADF members from Townsville arrive in Hobart to assist with the arrival of seasonal workers from Timor-Leste and the scheduled chartered flight from India. Picture: NIKKI DAVIS-JONES

“They will need to provide a negative test before going out into our community,” he said.

The ADF will also help run hotel quarantine for Australians returning from overseas via Tasmania.

A mercy flight from Delhi will arrive in Hobart on December 6 after being delayed following the hotel quarantine breach in South Australia.

The overseas arrivals will use an aircraft hangar and will not travel through the arrivals terminal.

Mr Gutwein said Tasmanian needed to “do our bit” to help Australians returning from overseas.

ADF members from Townsville arrive in Hobart to assist with the arrival of seasonal workers from Timor-Leste and the scheduled chartered flight from India. Picture: NIKKI DAVIS-JONES

The said the army would help process the arrivals and run hotel quarantine with police.

“They will facilitate through Border Force the arrival of Australians through the Hobart airport,” he said.

“Tasmanian Police will be managing and supervising the security arrangements 24/7 at the quarantine hotel with the support of the ADF.”

There will be a limited private security presence on hand in the quarantine hotels.

In terms of interstate borders, Tasmania is now open to travel from all states apart from South Australia which continues to be classes as a medium-risk location.