Border closure based on public opinion, experts say as industry ‘fearful’ about extended closures

December 1 has been ‘plucked’ out of the air as an arbitrary date for Tasmania’s borders to reopen, experts and industry leaders say, as they clamour for the evidence behind the extended shut down.

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DECEMBER 1 has been “plucked” as an arbitrary date for the state’s borders to reopen and the perception about fears of a second wave of COVID-19 cannot continually be used as a reason to keep them shut, the tourism industry’s peak lobby group says.

Luke Martin of the Tourism Industry Council of Tasmania has questioned the justification for the state’s prolonged border closures, saying they had struck a different type of fear into tourism operators.

“It seems to be that we’re making decisions now based on managing people’s concerns and anxiety about the risk of getting the virus in the state,’’ he said.

Luke Martin from TICT says the arbitrary date needs to be addressed. Picture: RICHARD JUPE

“We’ve just plucked an arbitrary date three months down the track, based on what — advice about public anxiety? I don’t know how sustainable that is.”

It comes as a Tasmanian expert calls for the government to release key information about the risk of a COVID-19 case being imported to the state.

Dr John Sumner, a microbiologist who specialises in hazard management and risk assessment and has advised Australian governments and the World Health Organisation, said justifications should be based on science and data.

Tasmania again has no active cases of COVID-19 after a man who was transferred from Victoria cleared the virus.

Premier Peter Gutwein has continually referred to Public Health advice and the safety of Tasmanians as the basis of policy positions, including border closures.

But Dr Sumner said the process of those providing advice to the Premier about risk assessments was problematic.

“So it would be crazy brave for a government employee to offer independent advice that conflicts with our Premier’s mindset and current ‘risk assessments’ appear tailored to support his public position,’’ he said.

“He’s onto a winner. By saying that ‘my only priority of Tasmanians’, that’s great. And everyone supports him in that.

“But it’s supposed to be transparent — we would like to know what is the likelihood I might get infected in South Australia, or far north Queensland. I’d like to know.”

Meanwhile, Mr Martin said “scary” national economic figures released on Wednesday served as a major warning sign of the possible impact on tourism operators.

“If we don’t have a summer [visitation], I really just don’t know what next year looks like. It’s bleak,’’ he said.

“There is immense anxiety in our industry. I’ve been travelling the state for the last two weeks and operators are fearful.”

Mr Martin questioned the economic sustainability of the tourism industry if it did not have visitation over summer, its peak season.

“We need to start having an honest conversation about the reality of what we’re facing,’’ he said.

Premier Peter Gutwein speaks at a Covid-19 press conference on Friday 28th August 2020. Picture: LUKE BOWDEN

Mr Gutwein said managing the risk of the virus was based on the “best and latest evidence and medical advice”.

“Our decisions regarding border restrictions are informed by expert Public Heath Advice, taking into consideration a number of factors including the situation in other states and our older and more vulnerable population,’’ he said.

A Public Health spokesman said the Victorian COVID-19 outbreak had resulted in the spread of infection in NSW and Queensland.

“The risk is currently low from travellers from areas of Australia where community transmission of COVID-19 is rare or absent,’’ he said.

“Public Health advice about border measures takes into account the current and projected trends in COVID-19 in other states and territories, aiming to ensure the safety of Tasmanians and maintain public confidence.”

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