Keeping tabs on arrivals

PEOPLE arriving in Tasmania from overseas will have to fill out airport arrival cards from today. Premier Peter Gutwein said all of the state’s entry points will have posters, signage and brochures to provide information for all travellers. Incoming travellers will need to provide their details, whether they are locals or visitors – if they are arriving in Tasmania after travel overseas. They will also need to self-isolate for two weeks under Federal Government restrictions. Efforts to reduce the spread of the coronavirus will also see changes made to state parliamentary sittings this week – including fewer members in the chamber and more space between them. “This will be a challenging time for Tasmanians,” Mr Gutwein said. “Your health and wellbeing is the most important factor in our thinking. Appropriate social distancing will need to be considered. “We need to take every step that we possibly can to flatten the curve.” Mr Gutwein will today announce stimulus measures aimed at protecting the state economy from the impact of the virus. Health Minister Sarah Courtney assured the public that all cases reported in the state so far are directly linked to or involved with people who have arrived from overseas. “However, I want to make it clear that while the risk to the general community of coronavirus remains low, it’s important that we all remain vigilant,” she said. “It’s important with regards to the measures we take as individuals, our hygiene, in terms of our close contacts that we are very careful about that. “I also asked Tasmanians to particularly take care with our older Tasmanians, as well as those that are more vulnerable.” There are about 90 people in self-isolation throughout Tasmania. Director of Public Health Dr Mark Veitch said checking people for fevers at ports and airports has been considered. “What happens if you do screening at the airport is that because people aren’t necessarily sick when they come through the gate, you miss them,” he told reporters at the first of the Government’s planned daily briefings. “You also pick up a lot of people who don’t have coronavirus.” Dr Veitch said health authorities would prefer to rely on people’s community spirit and common sense. Tasmanian Chamber of Commerce and Industry CEO Michael Bailey welcomed and supported the new “practical and sensible” measures.