OPEN AND SHUT
Brisbane, Sydney border rules remain
TASMANIA’S borders are now fully open to Victoria but travellers from Greater Sydney and Greater Brisbane still have to quarantine if they want to enter the state.
In providing an update yesterday Premier Peter Gutwein said Brisbane would be downgraded to a “medium risk” hotspot and that the Queensland capital seemed to be “right on top” of a small outbreak involving the UK strand and restrictions could be lifted on Friday. However, travellers entering Tasmania would still be required to quarantine for 14 days and from Friday it would be mandatory for masks to be worn in all Tasmanian airports and on flights.
TASMANIA could be reopened to travellers from Greater Brisbane by the end of the week as health authorities monitor how Queensland copes with the new UK strain of coronavirus.
Providing an update on the state’s borders on Monday, Premier Peter Gutwein said it was promising Greater Brisbane had only recorded one further case of COVID-19 in hotel quarantine overnight on Sunday.
“They appear to be right on top of the circumstance there. This is positive and importantly means at this stage … they are on track to lift even further restrictions by this Friday,” Mr Gutwein said.
In the latest changes to Tasmanian border arrangements and COVID-19 safety measures announced on Monday: GREATER Brisbane was downgraded from high to medium risk effective immediately, meaning travellers from the area can come to Tasmania but will have to undergo 14 days’ quarantine at home or in a hotel
THE state government will consider reinstating unrestricted travel between Greater Brisbane and Tasmania following a reassessment of the COVID-19 situation on Friday THE Greater Sydney and Wollongong areas will remain medium risk with this classification also to be reviewed on Friday
PEOPLE can now freely travel between Victoria and Tasmania.
FROM Friday it will be mandatory for masks to be worn in all Tasmanian airports and on flights in Tasmanian airspace. An on-the-spot fine can be issued to anyone defying the mask directive.
Mr Gutwein said the mask mandate applied to anyone inside airports including at check-in, bag drop and in retail outlets, as well as outdoor areas such as when waiting for transport.
“For some Tasmanians it will be strange but my message there is with the UK variant … it’s an additional layer of safety and for those Tasmanians that do feel a little uncomfortable it’s just the way it’s going to be moving forward now,” he said.
“If you are going to a terminal, wear a mask, if you are getting on a plane, wear a mask. It’s sensible that you start doing that for your own safety now.”
Mr Gutwein said the state government would initially provide airports with a supply of masks to hand out to members of the public.