Tasmanian families forced to self-isolate will receive $1,000 as part of a $420MILLION coronavirus stimulus package
- Tasmanians will receive a $420million economic boost amid the coronavirus
- Individuals, families, small businesses and health industries will all benefit
- Premier Peter Gutwein said the government is trying to reduce the virus impact
- Tasmania declared a public health emergency due to coronavirus on Tuesday
- Coronavirus symptoms: what are they and should you see a doctor?
Self-isolating Tasmanian families are set to receive $1,000 from an emergency coronavirus stimulus package.
The $420million economic boost will provide relief for small businesses and save jobs for Tasmanians forced to quarantine themselves amid the deadly disease.
Low income earners and casual workers will receive the benefits including $250 for individuals, while $4million will support pharmacies, GPs, mental health organisations and accommodation for front line workers.
Tourism, hospitality, seafood and export industries will be given $20million in interest-free loans and have their payroll tax waived for the last four months of the financial year.
Tasmanians will receive a $420million economic boost, helping individuals, families, small businesses (pictured Salamanca Markets in Hobart) and health industries
Tasmanian Premier Peter Gutwein said the government is doing all they can to reduce the impact of the disease
Tasmanian Premier Peter Gutwein said payroll tax will also be waived for small businesses on application.
‘Today, we have announced a $420 million support package which will provide additional support to the public sector and targeted assistance to our businesses and workforce to keep Tasmanians in jobs,’ he said, as reported by the ABC.
Other measures from the package include interest free loans of $50million for local governments and a youth employment payroll tax scheme.
‘We know this pandemic will also have very real and significant economic consequences, and our Government will do everything it can to manage and mitigate those impacts on businesses, jobs, families and the Tasmanian community,’ Mr Gutwein said.
The announcement comes as the state declared a public health emergency due to the outbreak of coronavirus on Tuesday.
This means people can be isolated, evacuated or quarantined under recommendations by the director of public health to stop the spread of the virus.
Mr Gutwein said the package will help to keep Tasmanians in jobs during the virus. Pictured: businesses in Hobart’s Salamanca Markets
People who arrive in Tasmania from overseas will have to isolate for 14 days.
Scott McKeown, Public Health deputy director, said the director would also be able to ban people from entering certain areas as well as forcing others to leave.
‘These powers will allow the director to slow COVID-19 spread in Tasmania when it occurs and protect people must vulnerable to the spread,’ Dr McKeown said, The Examiner reported.
The deputy director also said other measures may be taken out including banning the use of poker machines to prevent spreading the disease.
There has been seven confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Tasmania.
Tasmania declared a state of emergency on Tuesday, with seven confirmed cases of the disease. Pictured: a testing clinic in Launceston