We must stay firm on fight

IN some eyes, Premier Peter Gutwein must look like a bit of a genius right now. His firm stance on maintaining and even tightening restrictions on Tasmania’s borders in response to the COVID-19 pandemic has proved to be shrewd and timely.

The Melbourne outbreaks seem no closer to being under control, the problems in NSW continue to bubble along and worrying signs are emerging in Queensland, where aged-care visits have been banned in some parts of the state.

On Friday, Mr Gutwein and health officials fronted the media for another update.

The Premier has made clear he will not be taking any chances with the health of Tasmanians. Polls conducted by the Mercury show the vast majority of our readers agree with his stance.

There has been more debate around the restrictions within Tasmania.

Late last week a group of business leaders supported the state’s tight border controls but argued that with the controls in place, the government should ease the restrictions on traders who are operating within Tasmania.

They argued that the state is effectively COVID free and therefore events such as Salamanca Market should be able to operate at full capacity. Nightclub owners want social distancing laws relaxed and say that are being hamstrung under the current rules.

AS MUCH AS IT WOULD BE NICE TO THINK WE CAN GO BACK TO NORMAL, THE WAY WE DO THINGS HAS CHANGED AND WILL REMAIN THAT WAY UNTIL WE CAN FIND A VACCINE

It is a popular view supported by other business operators. Mercury readers are pretty evenly split on the suggestion, with 55 per cent in favour and 45 per cent against.

On Friday, the Premier slammed the door shut on any relaxation of the rules within the state.

He urged everyone, and in particular younger Tasmanians, to maintain their social distance.

Throughout this pandemic a cautious approach has served us well. The fact is this crisis is far from over. Tasmania is still at risk and in many ways we are more vulnerable than ever. The threat of coronavirus is just across Bass Strait with an explosion in cases.

While restrictions are tight, some people are moving in and out of the state. Yes, most people are following the rules but, as the Queensland example shows, all it takes is one or two people to do the wrong thing and we are in all sorts of trouble. All you need is someone refusing to go into quarantine — as was the case in Tasmania last week — or a person to lie their way past safety checks to slip into the community. Imagine what would happen if someone like that went out to a packed nightclub.

Director of Public Health Mark Veitch says there will be other cases of coronavirus in Tasmania and we cannot be complacent.

As much as it would be nice to think we can go back to normal, the way we do things has changed and will remain that way until a vaccine is found.

Businesses must continue to adapt. We all must remain patient and be thankful that we can still do many things millions of people across the world still cannot.

Spare a thought for Victorians or many parts of the US before grumbling about our lot.

Responsibility for all editorial comment is taken by the Editor, Jenna Cairney, Level 1, 2 Salamanca Square, Hobart, TAS, 7000