COVID-19 Update (11 Aug 2021)

Dear Colleagues

The number one priority for the Tasmanian Government is to keep Tasmanians safe and secure. Last week I wrote to you advising that Tasmania had recorded a case, in hotel quarantine, of COVID-19. Due to the extraordinary efforts of the Tasmanian Public Health system, as well as the response from our community, we have seen record testing numbers since the announcement of that case and now, one week on, are optimistic that the processes we have in place have worked.

However, with both NSW and Victoria managing ongoing community transmission and the recent daily numbers coming out of NSW providing sobering information, today the Premier has announced a new 4-point Delta Shield Plan. This plan involves strong border controls, a vaccine blitz, strengthening our tracking and tracing systems and a business support package.

4-point Delta Shield Plan

1. Strengthening our borders

   With NSW classified as high-risk level 1 for the foreseeable future, our borders will continue to remain closed to this State. The Premier also advised that we remain closed to Victoria for at least two weeks, and up to four weeks, depending on how their situation evolves and whilst our Delta Shield Plan is implemented.

   From Friday, there will also be an increase in on-the-spot fines, to $1557.50 for any person who arrives in Tasmania after already being denied entry, and told not to come, because they have been in a high-risk area. This increase in fine will also apply to persons who breach quarantine requirements or provides false and misleading information. Infringements for failing to use the Check In TAS App will remain at $774.80 and police will start to issue infringement notices where people flout the rules whilst going about our community.

2. Vaccine Blitz

   Currently our vaccine program leads the country however with Delta we need to do more.

   As part of the work being undertaken to further strengthen the State’s defences against the Delta variant, the Department of Health will commence a Super Six week campaign to boost our rate of vaccination well into the 60% range.

   This will be achieved by commencing a program to vaccinate college students (16-18 year olds) from 23 August; targeting our 30-59 year old age cohort through extending the hours and operating days for State-wide community clinics and bringing pharmacies on line more quickly.

3. Strengthening our tracking and tracing system

   In addition to working with interstate counterparts to learn lessons from NSW and Victoria, the Government will double our contact tracking and tracing workforce through contracting additional contact tracers from the national pool should the need arise. We will also focus our attention on systems and IT support to ensure that our systems can effectively support remote tracking and tracing services.

4. Support for impacted businesses
   The Premier has announced he will be releasing a support package for businesses that rely heavily on interstate visitors and that following further information to be released on Friday, he anticipates applications to be open next week.

As the Premier indicated, the new and more virulent Delta strain changes everything and the best thing each of us can do is to take personal responsibility; continue to adhere to the suite of COVID-19 safety measures and if you are eligible for a vaccination, please don’t hesitate.

For up to date information please visit https://www.coronavirus.tas.gov.au/facts/important-community-updates.

Best wishes