Tasmania introduces the ‘toughest border measures in Australia’ as it declares a state of emergency due to the coronavirus pandemic
- Anyone entering Tasmania as of Friday will have to self-isolate for two weeks
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Tasmania has announced the ‘toughest border measures in the country’ as it declares a state of emergency due to the coronavirus pandemic.
All ‘non essential’ travellers entering Tasmania will be made to isolate for two weeks as of Friday.
The quarantine won’t apply to travellers deemed ‘essential’ such as health care workers, emergency workers and defence personnel.
Tasmania has declared a state of emergency and will introduce tough new measures to avoid the spread of coronavirus
Premier Peter Gutwein said the state of emergency would be declared on Thursday and said Tasmania would be enforcing strong measures to tackle the virus.
‘This will be the strongest border measures in the country in terms of the states and territories,’ Mr Gutwein said.
‘Tasmanians can leave the state but after midnight on Friday night, should they return, they will need to go into a period of quarantine if they are not an essential traveller.’
‘We know for some it will create disruption [and] we would ask people to work with us as these measures are implemented.’
Premier Peter Gutwein (pictured) declared the state of emergency and said the state would be enforcing strong measures to tackle the virus.
Mr Gutwein said penalties could apply to anybody who doesn’t abide by the rules.
These could include a maximum fine of up to $16,800 or six months behind bars.
Despite the state of emergency, the Premier said schools would remain open.
Tasmania currently has ten confirmed cases of coronavirus.
More to come