Media release – Peter Gutwein, Premier, 9 July 2020
State of Emergency Declaration extended
The health, safety and wellbeing of Tasmanians remains our number one priority as we continue to face the challenges of coronavirus.
Today we have extended Tasmania’s State of Emergency until 31 August.
This aligns with the Public Health Emergency Declaration, which has already been put in place until 31 August.
The directions issued under the Public Health Act have worked effectively to reduce transmission of COVID-19 in Tasmania, and have complemented directions made by the State Controller to exercise emergency powers, as well as special emergency powers, during this state of emergency.
In light of the escalating situation in Victoria and the need to have appropriate response protocols in place in Tasmania, it is appropriate we extend emergency powers.
I would like to take the opportunity to thank the outstanding efforts of our State Controller Darren Hine and Director of Public Health Dr Mark Veitch and their teams who have worked tirelessly to support Tasmania’s response to COVID-19.
I want to reassure Tasmanians that we are doing everything we can to protect our state against a second wave which is why we announced strict restrictions against Victorians entering our state and stronger quarantine measures for returning Tasmanian travellers from Victoria.
Tomorrow, following National Cabinet, I will confirm our position on our borders, and while we have ruled out opening our borders with Victoria, we are exploring options of safe transit to other states, and the appropriate time to enable this to happen.
Media release – Rebecca White MP, Labor Leader, 9 July 2020
Labor welcomes extension of state of emergency
Labor welcomes the Premier’s decision to extend Tasmania’s state of emergency until the end of August.
Labor Leader, Rebecca White, said Tasmania needed to be on high alert given the concerning situation in Victoria.
“The COVID-19 outbreak in Victoria is of great concern to Tasmania and places us at higher risk,” Ms White said.
“Extending the state of emergency and implementing tougher measures to protect Tasmanians is the right thing to do in these unprecedented circumstances.
“While Labor welcomes the tougher border restrictions announced yesterday by the Premier, more clarity is needed in regards to essential workers.
“Peter Gutwein has finally indicated that quarantine exemptions already granted for essential workers will be reviewed, but Labor would like more detail on the scope of that review.
“It is a serious oversight that we currently have people who have been granted essential worker status moving around the community without having to be tested for the virus.
“The government must immediately require all essential workers coming into the state to demonstrate they are COVID-19 free before they are granted an exemption from quarantine.
“This situation risks undoing all of the good work of the Tasmanian community to eradicate the virus from our state and we are calling on the Premier to address this as a matter of urgency.”
Rosalie Woodruff MP | Greens Health spokesperson, 9 July 2020
State of Emergency Extension
Given the grave situation in Victoria, the extension of the State of Emergency is warranted. The decision to extend the emergency declaration to match Victoria’s lockdown restrictions is understandable, and pragmatic.
The situation in Victoria is distressing, and our hearts go out to our cousins across Bass Strait.
The border restrictions for Victorians are needed, but we know these will also impact upon many Tasmanians, such as those with family and friends in Victoria, as well as Tasmanians returning home and going into quarantine hotels. These are hard decisions, taken to put people’s lives and health first.
Through the challenges of the coronavirus pandemic, the expert advice of epidemiologists has driven decisions. We expect the Premier’s announcement about border restrictions tomorrow will also be guided by public health advice.
Although we have the advantage of being an island state, this doesn’t mean Tasmanians should let their guard down.
No functioning border restrictions can be perfect, and there will continue to be the risk of a second wave until there is a vaccine. We urge people to be vigilant – wash your hands, stay physically distanced and, if you have any symptoms, get tested.
