Premier follows feds on response
TASMANIA is preparing to activate an emergency management committee in the wake of a Federal Government announcement of an emergency response plan to deal with the threat of coronavirus.
On Thursday, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said a global pandemic over the virus was likely and enacted the response to protect the nation.
As part of the national response, “fever clinics” will be deployed if there is an outbreak of coronavirus, border security and screening will be increased at airports and medical stockpiles will be boosted.
In a joint statement, Premier Peter Gutwein and Health Minister Sarah Courtney said Tasmania did not have any positive results from coronavirus testing, but was taking action after the Federal Government’s action.
They said steps were being taken to “stand up” the State Emergency Management Committee.
“This will effectively transition the whole of government Coronavirus InterDepartmental Committee, to the SEMC, which plays a vital role in ensuring the state continues to be well prepared,’’ they said.
“The Director of Public
Health and the Commissioner of Police have agreed to continue effective co-ordination of Tasmania’s response arrangements.
“Therefore, while the Department of Health, which includes Public Health, will remain the lead agency, the SEMC will be used as the vehicle to maintain overall situation awareness, monitor and co-ordinate agencies and to ensure that the state is well prepared should the Commonwealth Government move beyond the initial phases.”
The Government said the new arrangement would start from Monday, with Cabinet to receive a briefing from Police Commissioner Darren Hine, who is chair of the SEMC.
A ministerial committee for emergency management will also be activated, the Government said.
Mr Gutwein and Ms Courtney said the state’s health department has also established an incident management team led by Public Health Services.
In Tasmania, expanded country criteria for testing has seen an increase in requests for testing.
The health department said to date, 44 tests have been completed on 42 individuals and all results were negative.