COVID-19 Update (01 Aug 2021)

Dear Colleagues

I write to you today with an update on Tasmania’s border restrictions given the COVID‑19 situation evolving in Queensland and implications for those who have entered Tasmania from south east Queensland since 17 July 2021. As the Premier said yesterday, this is not a drill. This is serious. The Delta strain of COVID-19 can spread very quickly resulting in a large outbreak requiring strong public health measures to contain.

Given this, yesterday the Premier announced our borders closed to non-essential travellers from the eleven Queensland local government areas declared high-risk (level 2) from 4.00 pm on 31 July 2021.

If you are in Tasmania now and were in a high risk level 2 area in Queensland (as listed at https://www.coronavirus.tas.gov.au/facts/important-community-updates) at any time on or after 12.01 am on 17 July 2021 but before 4.00 pm on 31 July 2021 you must stay home.

A stay at home order commenced from 6.00 pm on 31 July 2021 and will continue to 5.59 pm on 3 August 2021, for these people. This timeframe could be subject to change and I will provide further updates as necessary but you should also ensure you proactively stay updated via https://www.coronavirus.tas.gov.au.

If this stay at home order applies to you, you must not leave your place of residence unless absolutely necessary for one of the following reasons:

1. shopping for necessary goods and supplies;
2. undertaking personal exercise;
3. attending medical, or health care, appointments or for medical treatment, including to be tested for COVID-19;
4. caring for another person or animals; and
5. leaving Tasmania

Affected Public Servants  should talk to their manager and arrange to work from home if the nature of their work means they can.  If you can’t work from home, you can access COVID leave.

Children should not attend school.  Parents and carers should contact their school to discuss arrangements.

If you need to leave your home for one of the reasons named above, you must not travel further than five kilometres from home unless you can’t undertake the reason within that limit. If you leave to exercise, you can exercise with your household, or with one other person for safety reasons if needed.

When out of your home, you will need to travel by the most direct route available without stopping, other than as required by law or as necessary to purchase fuel or break for rest; and you must not stay away from home for longer than is necessary to carry out the essential task.

When out of your home you must wear a mask, unless you are exempted. You must not have visitors to your home, unless permitted.

Further information about these requirements is available in the Stay at Home Order and on the Coronavirus Tas website.

If you’re booked for a vaccination during the next three days, please contact the Public Health Hotline on 1800 671 738 to have it rescheduled.

You should also monitor the list of high risk premises for Queensland on the Coronavirus Tas website at www.coronavirus.tas.gov.au/travellers-and-visitors/coming-to-tasmania/travel-alert . If you identify that you attended a high risk premises at the specified date and time, you should self-isolate immediately and call the Public Health Hotline for further advice.

We only need to look at how quickly recent outbreaks have spread to see the risk COVID-19 poses, particularly the Delta variant. We must continue to practice the suite of COVID safety measures available to us:

• 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.

I also ask you to have a COVID-19 kit ready to use for household members - consisting of masks, tissues, hand sanitiser and for all mobile phones, the Check in TAS App.

Finally, a reminder to please book in for your free vaccination as soon as you’re able to. Vaccinations are now open to the 30-39 year old age cohort.

I echo the Deputy Director of Public Health’s comments yesterday – I understand these restrictions will cause disruption, but it is so important we act quickly and put measures in place to keep us all safe, so please continue to do your part.

Best wishes