Media release – Peter Gutwein, Premier, 10 July 2020
Border update – Tasmanian restrictions to remain
The health, safety and wellbeing of Tasmanians remains our top priority and with the escalating situation in Victoria, it is sensible to push back any relaxation on our borders.
We will not reopen our borders on 24 July based on public health advice.
Instead, we will continue to review the situation daily and an update will be provided on 24 July, with our border restrictions to remain in place until at least 31 July.
I know this may be tough news for those in our tourism and hospitality sectors, and we will continue to identify ways to support those businesses most impacted.
But I simply cannot, when there remains so much uncertainty with the Victorian outbreak and potential spread through people movement in other states, put Tasmanians at risk.
I encourage Tasmanians to keep getting out and supporting our local industries – buy local and enjoy local. However, please continue to observe the gathering restrictions, maintain appropriate social distancing, keep up good hygiene practices and if you have mild symptoms, get tested.
Media release – Rebecca White MP, Labor Leader, 10 July 2020
Premier must guarantee ongoing support for hospitality and tourism industry
Peter Gutwein must guarantee ongoing support for the hospitality and tourism sector impacted by the decision to defer opening Tasmania’s borders.
Labor Leader, Rebecca White, said there would be mixed feelings in the community about today’s announcement.
“Labor respects the public health advice and the desire to keep the community safe,” Ms White said.
“However, many businesses and workers were hoping for news of a travel bubble established with safe states so they could begin welcoming tourists back.
“With 17 per cent of Tasmania’s workforce relying on the tourism sector, today’s announcement has left many wondering what this will mean for the survival of their business or their ongoing employment.
“The tourism and hospitality industry will be hardest hit by this decision and the Government must work closer with this sector to ensure businesses are supported and can keep people in jobs. This decision highlights the need for JobKeeper to be extended beyond September.
“Labor is also calling on Peter Gutwein to give more detail about the scope of a review into quarantine exemptions granted for essential workers.
“We want the government to immediately require all essential workers coming into the state to demonstrate they are COVID-19 free before they are granted an exemption from quarantine and to prove that those jobs can’t be done by a Tasmanian.”
Media release – TSBC, 10 July 2020
TSBC calls for lifting of internal restrictions if borders are to remain shut
The Tasmanian Small Business Council have stressed the need for a relaxation of operational restrictions on businesses if Tasmania’s borders are to remain shut.
“Keeping the borders closed is a devastating blow for Tasmanian business, at a time when many were preparing to get back up and running with the expected opening of borders.
“While I respect the public safety reasoning behind the decision, it’s extremely disheartening for those businesses who rely on the tourist dollar as part of their established business model.
“Government now needs to lessen the burden and make doing business within Tasmania as easy as possible, by removing restrictions such as the two square metre rule.
“If the borders are shut, the virus isn’t here. While it’s not, we need to do everything we can to support business.”
Mr Mallett also called for stronger consideration of the proposed New Zealand travel bubble.
“The uptake of intrastate tourism has been magnificent to see, however Tasmania does not have the population to sustain this support for the state’s tourism and hospitality reliant businesses for a period of months.
“Not every Tasmanian is in the position to have a holiday each weekend, and despite the goodwill of Tasmanians, it’s inevitable intrastate tourism will eventually slow-down.
“We need more customers, and if they aren’t able to come from interstate it makes sense to open up the border to New Zealand who have proved to have handled COVID-19 well over the ditch.
“Not only will bringing new customers to Tasmania directly from New Zealand provide immediate relief for affected businesses, but the ongoing benefit in having a direct international connection will help businesses rebuild for years to come.
