Media release – Dr Mark Veitch, Director of Public Health, 20 July 2021
COVID-19 update – South Australia, Victoria and Queensland
The Director of Public Health has declared South Australia a high-risk area. This declaration took effect from 4pm today (20 July).
This decision is in response to a cluster of COVID-19 cases in South Australia, a number of high-risk exposure locations, and the implementation of a lockdown of all South Australia by the South Australian government.
From 4pm today, any person who has been in South Australia on or after 8 July will not be permitted to enter Tasmania, unless approved as an essential traveller.
The declaration of Victoria as a high-risk area remains, as Victoria continues to diagnose COVID-19 cases and identify further high-risk locations.
The direction requiring anyone already in Tasmania who has been in Victoria on or since 8 July to wear a mask while outside their accommodation remains in effect.
Masks must be worn unless the person is exempted, such as those under 12 years old, or those who have a valid medical reason not to wear a mask.
Masks are also required to be worn by anyone already in Tasmania who has been in South Australia on or since 8 July when they are outside their accommodation.
People recently in Victoria or South Australia are required to wear a mask in public until 14 days after they were last in Victoria or South Australia, unless the requirement is removed earlier.
The requirement for mask wearing for people recently in Victoria will be reviewed on Friday, 23 July.
People now in Tasmania who have been in Victoria or South Australia on or since 8 July are asked to limit their movements and time in the community, avoid public gatherings and limit visitors to their home.
If you are currently in home or hotel quarantine as a result of recent travel including attendance at high risk premises, you must remain in quarantine.
Finally, as a result of an interstate-acquired case moving in the Queensland community, a number of new premises and transport routes in Queensland have been declared high-risk today by the Tasmanian Director of Public Health.
Anyone who has been in South Australia or Victoria on or since 8 July or Queensland since 9 July should check the list of premises that have been classified as high risk. The list is available at www.coronavirus.tas.gov.au/travelalert.
If you are in Tasmania and have been at any of the listed high-risk premises at the specified dates and times, you must self-isolate immediately and contact the Public Health Hotline on 1800 671 738 after 9am tomorrow (Wednesday, 21 July) for advice.
If you have any symptoms of a cold or flu, no matter how mild, please arrange a COVID-19 test by calling the Public Health Hotline on 1800 671 738.
Please use the Check in TAS app whenever you enter a business or venue displaying the Check in TAS QR code. This information will be critical for contact tracing if a case occurs in Tasmania.
