Tasmania has declared a state of emergency in response to the coronavirus pandemic, which will mean all non-essential travellers arriving in the state will be required to put themselves in quarantine.
Grey nomads will obviously fall into the category of non-essential travellers.
“From midnight on Friday, only essential travellers will be allowed into Tasmania without going into quarantine,” Premier Peter Gutwein said this morning. “Any non-essential traveller into Tasmania will be required to go into a period of 14 days of quarantine.”
Essential travellers are defined as being those that are important to the state’s health effort, or to an emergency situation, or those that keep our trade links running.
“As an island we are well placed to implement these tough restrictions and slowing the spread of coronavirus will ensure we are better placed to protect all Tasmanians,” the Premier said.
Tasmanian residents who are returning to the state after midnight on Friday will also have to comply with the quarantine.
The Premier said the measures were designed to reduce travel to the state, but maintain a flow of supplies from the mainland.
“I want to be clear to all Tasmanians – we are not going to shut the borders to those supplies that we need,” he said. “Our ships will continue to run. The TT-Line will have, I expect, more opportunity to carry more freight into the state as a result of the fact that there will be, I expect, less people travelling.”
Mr Gutwein said a breach of the quarantine period could result in a $16,800 fine or up to six months imprisonment. He later added that GPS tracking was being considered to enforce the quarantine.
“Today we take that next step to ensure that we provide the toughest border measures in the country,” he said.
The Spirit of Tasmania has confirmed that all passengers must comply with Australian Government travel restrictions and quarantine requirements relating to Coronavirus (COVID-19) before booking and travelling with them.
“Spirit of Tasmania is now offering a full refund for all cancellations regardless of travel date or fare type,” the company said.
what effects are in place for people leaving Tasmania to go to melbourne
Victoria has already announced a State of Emergency. Seek information from its government fact sheets. If returning from Vic to Tas, you will be required by Tas law to spend 14 days in quarantine to exclude infection you may have contracted while in a higher risk area. The purpose is to prevent community transmission in Tasmania.
We have another week in Tassie. Best place to be. Tasmanian Gov is correct in strict controls.totally necessary. Love Tassie
So will you be able to move outside your caravan or motor-home during that period ?
Pomme
No
Absolutely agree with the Tasy govt. The Oz trajectory for the virus is frighteningly close to Italy. Keep safe everybody.