Plea for vigilance in Tassie virus hot spot

EMPTY parks with taped-up play equipment provide a stark reminder of how much life has changed in Tasmania in the lead-up to Easter, 2020.

Flocks of seagulls were the only visitors to Ulverstone’s popular Dinosaur Park yesterday, despite brilliant sunshine.

Tasmania’s 29 councils have all closed parks, playgrounds and skate parks, in line with a directive from the Prime Minister last month that such facilities needed to be closed to adhere to the social distancing rule that states people should only exercise in public in groups of two.

The Cradle Coast Authority represents nine councils in the North-West of Tasmania.

Chief Representative and Central Coast Mayor Jan

Bonde yesterday echoed Premier Peter Gutwein’s calls for people, especially in the North-West, to remain vigilant and stay at home during the Easter period.

Mr Gutwein called on community leaders to reinforce his message as the region was fast becoming Tasmania’s most troubling coronavirus hot spot.

Two of the three Tasmanians fatalities from the virus died in Burnie”s North West Regional Hospital, and 22 people connected with the facility — 16 health workers and six patients — have so far become infected.

“Social distancing will be even more difficult during Easter, a time when we traditionally gather with friends and family to share joy and laughter,” Mayor Bonde said.

“This Easter, however, and in the weeks ahead, everybody must stay home.

“The people of the Cradle Coast region are talented, caring, resilient and hardworking, and we will get through this.

“Over the past few weeks, I have seen community leaders united in the need to stay at home and save lives, and I call on everybody to share and abide by that important message.”