Dance-floor video stirs COVID-safe reminder

A VIDEO of people on the dance floor at a Hobart venue has renewed calls for Tasmanians to remain vigilant amid the coronavirus pandemic.

An Instagram story believed to have been recorded at Salamanca’s Grape Food and Wine shows patrons up on the dance floor on Saturday night.

Bars and night clubs fall under stage three restrictions, which are expected to ease on Friday subject to Public Health advice.

Upon viewing the video, Bass Liberal MP Michael Ferguson said he encouraged the state’s businesses and patrons to be as responsible as they know they should be.

“Having just watched the video for the first time I’m not an expert on these things, but obviously if people have concerns I want to encourage them to contact the Public Health Hotline because they are the experts,” he said.

“Without prejudging the matter, I would encourage the people who became aware of that to pass on their concerns to the Public Health Hotline.”

Mr Ferguson said as of last Monday every Tasmanian business needed to have a COVID-safe plan in place.

“They are industry specific — every industry has a set of guidelines they need to be following,” he said. “We need people to still be careful. Not just meeting the requirements, but also looking after their individual social distancing.

“It’s videos like that one that remind us of the importance of saying to Tasmanians let’s not get ahead of ourselves — let’s still be careful while at the same time being able to go out and enjoy ourselves more than previously was able.”