Tas Response to NSW Northern Beaches Outbreak

Media release – Scott McKeown, Deputy Director Public Health Services, 18 December 2020

Coronavirus – 9am NSW cases update

The Northern Beaches local government area (LGA) in Sydney is now a high-risk area following an increase in reported cases of COVID-19.

The Director of Public Health has defined the Northern Beaches LGA and several other locations in Sydney as high-risk areas that pose a risk of transmission of infection.

These high-risk areas are available at www.coronavirus.tas.gov.au/travelalert. Further areas may be added as the NSW response progresses.

People who have been at the Northern Beaches LGA or at any of the other high-risk areas during the specified times and are currently in Tasmania should self-isolate and contact the Public Health Hotline on 1800 671 738 to arrange a test.

People wishing to travel to Tasmania who have been at these areas during the specified times will not be permitted to travel unless approved by the Deputy State Controller.

For all travellers from NSW who are yet to arrive in Tasmania, your Tas e-Travel pass will be cancelled and you will need to reapply to confirm you have not visited any high-risk locations.

If you are affected, please check the latest advice on the Tasmanian coronavirus website

The public health assessment is that NSW outside of these high-risk areas remains low risk. However, Public Health will closely monitor the situation and respond accordingly.

Further updates will be provided as the NSW response progresses.

Media release – Dr Mark Veitch, Director of Public Health, Public Health Services, 17 December 2020

Coronavirus update – NSW cases

NSW has reported five cases of COVID-19 that were acquired outside of quarantine.

NSW Health has published a list of public locations that may pose a risk of transmission of infection by three of these cases. All but one of these locations are associated with the first two cases in the city’s Northern Beaches area with the other relating to a bus driver who transported airline crews.

These high-risk locations are available at www.coronavirus.tas.gov.au/travelalert. Further locations may be added as the NSW investigation progresses.

Anyone already in Tasmania who has visited these premises and locations on or after Friday 11 December is asked to self-isolate immediately and call the Public Health Hotline on 1800 671 738. Travellers should advise the hotline that they have been at one of the identified premises.

Travellers who have been at these premises during the specified times are not permitted to enter Tasmania. Affected travellers seeking an exemption can apply  via the G2G system.

For all travellers from NSW who are yet to arrive in Tasmania, your Tas e-Travel pass will be cancelled and you will need to reapply to confirm you have not visited any high-risk locations.

If you are affected, please check the latest advice on the Tasmanian coronavirus website

If you experience any symptoms, even if they are mild, contact the Public Health Hotline to arrange a test.

Our overall assessment is that NSW remains low risk. However, Public Health will closely monitor the situation and respond accordingly.

6.25pm Update to Media Release

Three additional NSW premises have been declared high-risk.

They are:

If you are already in Tasmania and were at any of these premises on the dates/times specified, self-isolate immediately and call the Public Health Hotline on 1800 671 738 for further advice.

If you are yet to arrive in Tasmania, your Tas e-Travel pass will be cancelled and you will need to reapply to confirm you have not visited any high-risk premises.

You can see the updated list at www.coronavirus.tas.gov.au/travelalert