Peter Gutwein,Premier
I am pleased to announce that the additional North West COVID-19 safety measures will be lifted from 12.00am this Monday, 4th May.
It’s important to note, these changes will bring the North West in line with the rest of Tasmanian restrictions, which means restrictions on personal movement and the operation of certain businesses will still apply.
North West Coast residents, in line with all Tasmanians, will still be required to stay home unless you absolutely need to go out, and people should continue to limit their movement out of the region. A full list of statewide restrictions on public gatherings and business can be found at: www.coronavirus.tas.gov.au.
However, retail businesses that were required to close when the additional North West restrictions came into force three weeks ago, but were previously operating under the previous statewide restrictions will now be allowed to reopen.
This includes non-essential retail such as big box retailers, clothing and whitegood stores, hairdressers, bookstores, tobacconists and the like.
All retailers reopening should ensure they have strict social distancing and hygiene rules in place, including adhering to the one person per four square metres of aisle-space rule.
In addition, North West coast schools will reopen on Monday, 4th May for students who cannot be schooled at home, for example if both parents work. All other students should continue to learn from home.
I would like to thank all those retailers and their employees who have been forced to close for the past three weeks for their understanding and sacrifice.
I would also like to thank the residents of the North West Coast, and all those health professionals, including the Australian Defence Force and AUSMAT, who worked so hard over the last three weeks to get on top of the coronavirus outbreak.
As I outlined in Parliament yesterday, the Government will make decisions about statewide restrictions in the lead up to 15th May.
In the meantime, please continue to stay home, to save lives.
