Tasmanians health, safety and wellbeing is the Tasmanian Government’s number one priority.

From today there is mandatory testing, including a health check for symptoms, of all essential travellers from Victoria or determined hot-spots, in NSW and Queensland.

In regards to freight and logistics operators, they will need to undergo a test on arrival, unless they have evidence of having had a COVID-19 test not less than seven days prior to their arrival in Tasmania.

Also, from today (if you travel by air), or tomorrow (if you travel by sea), all non-Tasmanian and Tasmanian residents who are required to stay in mandatory government-designated hotel quarantine, will do so at their own expense, except in cases of extreme hardship.

This will be $2,800 per person, with a reduced per-person rate for couples and families, which is $3,800 for couples, and between $4,300 and $4,800 for families dependent on the number of children.

Last week we announced safe travel arrangements with other safe states would commence from 7 August, including South Australia, Northern Territory and Western Australia, if Western Australia borders open.

Direct flights will be necessary between Tasmania and South Australia, given Tullamarine has been ruled out of bounds by the South Australian Government.  There will be three flights available initially per week out of Hobart.  All arrivals will have a health check and mandatory test if deemed necessary.  If they refuse a test they will be automatically quarantined or returned to their home at their own cost.

I will provide an update on border relaxations with Queensland, the ACT and NSW later next week, however given the situation with border breaches in Queensland and growing cases in NSW, we will continue to monitor the situation on a daily basis.

We have taken our border restrictions very seriously, and we continue to monitor situations in other states daily.  I assure Tasmanians we will act at all times on Public Health advice and remain agile and responsive to put Tasmanians’ health and safety first.

I would like to thank all Tasmanians for continuing to show great strength and resilience, however, the situation in Victoria is a vivid reminder that we cannot for one second become complacent.

To anyone entering our state right now.  If you are dishonest, if you do the wrong thing, if you breach our quarantine arrangements we will throw the book at you. That means fines of up to $16,800 or up to 6 months in jail.

These are challenging times, and I urge Tasmanians to continue to do the right thing, practice good hygiene, maintain appropriate social distancing and abide by the COVID-safety plans in place.

If we do this together we will get through this together.