PREMIER TAKES HARD LINE
Premier acts as sixth case confirmed
NO more cruise ships will be allowed to dock in Tasmania until the end of June as the State Government steps up measures to protect Tasmanians from coronavirus as the number of confirmed cases climbs to six.
Premier Peter Gutwein said TasPorts had been told that after a small liner stops in Hobart today to refuel and stock up on provisions, no more cruise ships will be allowed to dock in Burnie, Hobart or Port Arthur.
The ban comes after Burnie was inundated with thousands of passengers from six ships that docked in the port over a busy fortnight.
A cruise ship that docked in Hobart on Saturday advised passengers to stay on board but some disembarked in fear they would be stuck on the liner indefinitely.
The Sun Princess was due to dock in Burnie on Thursday and the Azamara Journey was due into Hobart on the same day. They will now not be allowed into port.
“This is not a decision I make lightly, and one which has been done in careful consultation with senior members of our State Emergency Management Committee, TasPorts and the tourism industry,” Mr Gutwein said.
“While I know this places challenges on our tourism industry and visitor economy, I strongly believe we must act to make the decisions that best protect Tasmanians and help to manage COVID-19 risks to our state.
“There are 12 scheduled cruise ship visits during this period, five to Hobart, five to Burnie and two to Port Arthur. The cruise industry has been notified of our decision to suspend these port stops.
“We are in uncharted territory and these are uncertain times. Which is why we must act based on advice using the levers available to us to protect Tasmanians.
“I want to reassure Tasmanians that we will do all we can to maintain economic stimulus and support business and Tasmanians. Yet, like the rest of the country and other nations, we will not be without impact.”
Mr Gutwein said flights into Tasmania would not be banned but the number of international passengers arriving from other places could be stemmed.
“We are looking at a range of measures including mandatory quarantine,” Mr Gutwein said.
“Australian border control already assesses those arriving in Australia on international flights.”
Mr Gutwein said that if Tasmania declared a state emergency, then broader local border powers would be considered.
The Spirit of Tasmania is regarded as a form of public transport between Melbourne and Devonport but more robust screening measures are being considered.
Tourism Industry Council Tasmania chief executive Luke Martin said the tourism sector agreed public health and peace of mind was everyone’s primary concern through the evolving crisis.
Mr Gutwein said there had been no advice from health authorities to close Tasmanians schools.