Travellers could face $2800 bill
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TASMANIA will open its borders to South Australia, Western Australia and the Northern Territory from August 7, but anyone using government quarantine will have to pay $2800.
TASMANIA will open its borders to form a “travel bubble” with South Australia, Western Australian and the Northern Territory in two weeks.
Premier Peter Gutwein on Friday announced a resumption of some interstate travel, the introduction of mandatory coronavirus testing for mainland workers arriving in the state, plus a $2800 charge for people who are required to enter hotel quarantine.
Mr Gutwein said thanks to the majority of Tasmanians doing the right thing, the state had become “one of the safest places in the world right now”.
He said opening travel to the three western states where cases were low was “cautious, sensible and responsible”.
“After review by public health officials and considering a range of border safety restrictions we intend to create safe travel bubbles between those three states,” Mr Gutwein said.
“This will happen in two weeks’ time — from Friday, August 7.”
The Premier said mandatory testing for essential workers arriving from Victoria and other “hot spots” would apply from July 31 at Tasmania’s airports and seaports.
Anyone arriving from interstate with symptoms would be required to take a test. Refusal will mean mandatory quarantine or being sent home.
Those who are required to enter hotel quarantine will be required to pay $2800 for individuals and an as-yet-undetermined rate for families — with exemptions possible on hardship, compassionate or medical grounds.
Travel to Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland has been ruled out for the immediate future with another update to be made on August 7.
“I don’t see Victoria being opened up with Tasmania in the near future but we will continue to monitor on a weekly and monthly basis,” Mr Gutwein said.
“With Queensland, we need to take a position of caution.
“We will provide an update on the seventh of August on possible times and dates to relax those states and territory (but we don’t see) Queensland, NSW or ACT (opening to Tasmania) any time before 14th August.”
Mr Gutwein said keeping Tasmanians safe remained his priority and the state reserved the right to vary or restrict travel to or from entire states, regions, postcodes or suburbs with as little as 30 minutes’ notice.
“Creating safe travel bubbles I think will be welcome, but we will step into this cautiously and carefully,” he said.
“Tasmanians stayed home to save lives. We’re one of the safest places in the world right now. But the virus is here to stay until we have a vaccine.”
Mr Gutwein said he wanted to ensure Tasmania didn’t “take a backwards step” by having to go into a second lockdown.
Those taking advantage of the relaxed travel restrictions will be required to use the “Good to Go App” with their whereabouts over the previous two weeks. Fines of up to $16,800 or up to six months’ jail apply for those who provide incorrect information.
Labor leader Rebecca White said while stronger testing measures were welcome, the government shouldn’t be waiting a week to implement them.
“I’m pleased Peter Gutwein has finally recognised the importance of testing all essential workers arriving in Tasmania but I don’t understand why we need to wait a week before those measures are introduced,” Ms White said.
“We have essential workers coming in to Tasmania right now who have been granted exemptions from testing, some from Victoria, and all should be tested immediately on arrival to ensure the safety of our community.”