Just ‘illogical’
CEO can’t fathom why 60,000 a day attend
TASMANIA’S strict Covid-19 restrictions have been called “illogical” as the Royal Perth Show welcomes up to 60,000 visitors a day while the Tasmanian events industry crumbles.
Agricultural Shows Tasmania CEO Scott Gadd said Western Australia’s freedoms highlighted the stark difference between how health agencies in different states are handling the pandemic.
While the Royal Hobart Show will go ahead – unlike the Burnie, Brighton, Launceston and Circular Head shows – attendances are capped and the event will run at a loss for the first time in its history.
Mr Gadd said Tasmania’s “illogical” Covid-19 restrictions were wrecking the events industry
“The Royal Perth Show is currently under way in WA with a crowd cap of 60,000 visitors a day. Next month’s Royal Hobart Show has been capped by local health officials at 30,000 visitors over four days,” Mr Gadd said.
“Masks are not required for people attending the Perth show. Masks have been mandated for those attending the Royal Hobart Show next month.”
Mr Gadd said Tasmania and WA were in a similar Covid-19 position with closed borders and no active cases of the virus.
“Tasmanian government ministers publicly admit there is no coronavirus in Tasmania,” Mr Gadd said.
“Yet they are using a plan made for a worst case outbreak scenario to close down events, instead of a scalable framework that can be tightened or loosened as the situation changes.
“The Tasmanian events industry is still trying to understand why a special arrangement was made to host 10,000 people at an AFL match in Launceston, while other events are restricted to just 5000.