Exemptions for select few arriving from Victoria

DESPITE a blanket rule locking Victorians out of the state, there are still several scenarios where Tasmanians can travel to and from Melbourne.

New border restrictions came into place on Thursday to keep Tasmanians safe from the mainland outbreak, which has now spiked to around 3000 cases, forcing the state into lockdown.

State Controller Darren

Hine said there were exemptions for Tasmanians heading to and returning from Melbourne, including essential workers and on medical and compassionate grounds, but that they would be assessed on a case-by-case basis.

“We know several people that have to go on a daily basis that are travelling to Melbourne or Victoria for treatment and coming back to Tasmania,” he said.

“Obviously, now they have to make an application for an exemption, and we look at it on a case-by-case basis.

“Their health is extremely important, and we want to make sure we don’t jeopardise their health by either hotel quarantining or quarantining at home.”

Biosecurity officers will be checking paperwork for travellers coming into the state on the Melbourne side, and again in Tasmania.

Any visitors who have spent time in Victoria in the 14 days prior to travel are not permitted to travel to Tasmania.

If visitors come from Victoria to Tasmania, they will be turned back.

This does not apply to essential travellers from Victoria, who will still be able to apply to travel to Tasmania for a specified purpose.

Any person granted essential traveller status who has spent time in Victoria in the 14 days prior to travel will be required to wear a face mask and limit their movement when not in the workplace.

Essential travellers from Victoria under the “specialist skills critical to maintaining key industries and businesses” category will now need prior approval to travel from the State Controller.

While Victorians can apply for compassionate exemption to travel to Tasmania, these exemptions are unlikely to be granted in the short-term.

Tasmanian residents who have spent time in Victoria in the 14 days prior to travel will be required to quarantine in government-provided accommodation. This includes families with children and FIFO workers.

People coming to Tasmania from other states will be allowed to transit through a Victorian airport or port, provided they do so directly. All other current quarantine requirements remain in place.