The Importance of staying informed and Keeping yourself and others safe (22 Dec 2020)

To: All Tasmanian State Servants

Dear Colleagues,

As we come to the end of a most extraordinary year, I’d like to take a moment to thank each and every one of you for the effort you gave in 2020.

This year, as we faced one of the toughest challenges in our State’s (and the world’s) recent history, the work and dedication of the State Service has placed Tasmania in one of the best positions in the world for recovering from this health and economic crisis.

If you’re taking a rest over the holiday period, I hope you enjoy the precious time: whether you’re relaxing, exploring our State, reflecting on the year that was, or doing whatever brings you happiness. If you’re one of the vital workers who will be working through the period to the New Year, I thank you sincerely for your work.

The importance of staying informed

In my all staff message last week, I outlined the emerging situation in New South Wales (NSW) where COVID-19 cases had been acquired outside of quarantine. Since I released that message, the news from NSW has changed dramatically, as you’ve no doubt seen.

The situation in NSW is a stark reminder of how quickly things can change. I know the outbreak in NSW has altered many holiday and New Year plans, with reunions planned with family and friends after months apart now unfortunately cancelled.

As you are all aware, I don’t write to you each and every time the status of another jurisdiction changes, so I do want to take this opportunity to restate how vital it is to take personal responsibility to keep up to date with current travel alerts.

It is important we all remember that in order to keep travel between our states safe, the Public Health advice, and resulting restrictions, can change very quickly given the situation at the time. Tasmania is in such a good place in relation to COVID-19 because we have acted decisively when we’ve needed to, and taken a measured approach to easing our restrictions.

While the holiday season can be a joyful one for many, I equally recognise that for others it is a really difficult period – and this year particularly as so many remain separated from those they love. If you find yourself struggling, please reach out to your Agency’s Employee Assistance Program.

Keeping yourself and others safe

My final message to you, and perhaps the most important, is that our five COVID-Safe behaviours are still very much the recommended practice for us all. We have been able to ease some restrictions recently ahead of the summer period. I know so many of us have been looking forward to end of year festivities and, for example, being able to dance again. Staying vigilant in applying the following behaviours is our best chance of keeping eased restrictions in place:

• Stay at least 1.5 metres away from others;
• Wash your hands often with soap and warm water;
• Stay at home if you are unwell;
• Get tested for COVID-19 if you have any cold or flu-like symptoms; and
• Be aware of, and follow, current gathering, business and travel restrictions.

For the latest updates on the COVID-19 restrictions in Tasmania and across Australia, visit http://www.coronavirus.tas.gov.au