Infected worker was ‘no threat’

HEALTH authorities have reassured Tasmanians the Victorian case of COVID-19 linked to the Spirit of Tasmania did not have a public-facing role.

TT-Line advised on Friday that the shore-based contractor had tested positive for coronavirus but was not in contact with the public or passengers while potentially infectious.

Acting Director of Public Health Scott McKeown said Public Health was told about the diagnosis on Wednesday night. He said it was a Victorian case and Public Health Services interviewed them on Thursday to assess the potential threat to Tasmania.

A review has determined that the work of the contractor at Melbourne’s Station Pier did not pose any risk to passengers coming to Tasmania.

“It’s clear from our Public Health assessment [on Thursday] that the person when they were infectious — on Saturday, Sunday and Monday — that they didn’t work in a role which had contact with members of the public or passengers,” Dr McKeown said.

Dr McKeown stressed that the case did not have contact with Spirit of Tasmania passengers.

“This case does not pose a threat to Tasmania,” he said.

He said a risk assessment was being done by the Spirit of Tasmania, including a review of COVID safety plans, in consultation with WorkSafe Tasmania and Public Health Services.

Premier Peter Gutwein said he became aware of the Spirit of Tasmania-related case on Thursday morning.

TT-Line said the contractor had not worked there since August 3, when they did a fourhour shift limited to a restricted area at Station Pier.

“The contractor had lowrisk contact with two staff members at a minimum distance of at least 1.5 metres, as per the company’s instructions,’’ TT-Line said.

“The employees have been tested and are in isolation. One has returned a negative test while the other test result is pending.”

TT-Line said initial inquiries had confirmed the contractor did not board either vessel.

“The areas in which the contractor worked have been deep cleaned in line with the company’s approved COVID safety plan,” TT-Line said.

ACTIVE CASES

Tasmania ................................ 0 ACT ......................................... 0 Northern Territory ................. 3 Western Australia .................. 6 South Australia ..................... 10 Queensland ........................... 11 NSW .................................... 281 Victoria .............................. 7637 Active cases to 8pm Friday