Media release – Peter Gutwein, Premier, 11 March 2022
Update to mask mandate
The Tasmanian Government’s number one priority since the start of the pandemic has been to keep Tasmanians safe, and pleasingly we are now one of the most vaccinated places in the world.
In what will be welcome news for many Tasmanians, I can confirm that, based on Public Health advice, masks will be recommended, but no longer mandatory in a range of settings.
From 5pm tonight, masks will no longer be mandatory for staff, customers and patrons in:
*Retail businesses, and other workplaces where it’s not specified as being required, such as construction sites;
*Hospitality venues, including restaurants, cafes, pubs and clubs;
*Indoor and outdoor events;
*Indoor sport recreation areas and gyms;
*Offices;
*Places of worship; and
*Personal services, for example hairdressers and beauticians.
Masks will be retained in high-risk settings where transmissibility is more of a risk including:
*Hospitals;
*Residential aged care facilities, residential disability care facilities and in-home care;
*Correctional facilities;
*Health care facilities and medical services (including GPs, dentists, optometrists, pharmacies and other allied health providers);
*In schools, teachers, staff and visitors only, as well as students in secondary school, and early childhood services; and
*Public transport, including taxis and ride-share, airports and aircraft, Spirit of Tasmania and ports.
Importantly, if people want to keep wearing masks for their own protection to minimise the spread of transmission, they are encouraged to do so.
Our high vaccination rates are helping to maintain lower levels of hospitalisation rates than other jurisdictions, however, we cannot be complacent.
National Cabinet will today consider a Winter National COVID and Influenza Preparedness Plan and the Tasmanian Government will release our Winter Flu Plan next week.
I’d like to remind Tasmanians it’s very important to remember the basics of good hygiene, distancing where possible, covering coughs and sneezes and staying home and getting tested if you develop symptoms.
Media release – Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP, Greens Health spokesperson, 11 March 2022
Mask Removal Reckless as Cases Climb
The Gutwein Government’s decision to remove mask wearing protections in most indoor settings is reckless. This was laid bare by Public Health’s advice that mask wearing indoors is still recommended.
Today’s further weakening of protections follows four days of cases over 1,000 – the highest rate of infections per capita in the country – and confirmation the new Covid variant is now established in Tasmania
Covid is already infecting Tasmania school students, and case numbers are on the rise. The last thing a responsible government would do is take away mandatory universal protections.
Universal mask wearing reduces the risk of hospitalisation from Covid, as well as the risk of developing long Covid and its potentially serious and disabling consequences.
Today’s advice will confuse Tasmanians. Clearly the only reason the Liberals have removed the mask mandate, yet continue to recommend mask wearing, is to satisfy their industry mates.
In the current Covid climate, the Premier‘s decision is reckless and it flies in the face of independent epidemiological science.
The Director of Public Health urged employers to consider worker safety and individual workplace needs regarding mask wearing. Given the government’s failure to keep people safe in these high levels of Covid transmission, we urge all Tasmanians to continue wearing masks.
