Peter Gutwein must act more decisively and more quickly to implement measures to protect the Tasmanian community from coronavirus.
Labor Leader Rebecca White said she had put a series of recommendations to the Premier on additional measures to manage the widening impact of the virus.
“The World Health Organization has urged governments around the world to act fast and have no regrets. Labor echoes that call for speed and urges the Tasmanian Government to take all steps to slow the spread of the virus.
“Labor’s priority is public safety. We recognise some measures will have economic impacts, but the health of our community must be the top priority.”
Ms White said she has urged the Premier to adopt a number of measures in the economic stimulus package he will announce this week.
“Providing services to people who are self-isolating has to be a core issue for the government, to make sure people aren’t disincentivised to stay home. It will be a vital part of containing the spread of this virus.
“Among other measures I’m urging Peter Gutwein to adopt are:
- Ensure health workers have access to adequate personal protection such as gowns, masks and gloves. We can’t risk their health by reusing or going without these items.
- Expand services so regional centres can offer testing to people with symptoms.
- Provide early advice of likely decisions such as school closures, to give people time to make the necessary arrangements.
- Implement testing at state borders, airports and sea ports.
- Procure vacant hotel rooms to provide a safe and secure place for homeless people to self-isolate.
- Procure vacant hotel rooms as accommodation for health workers so they are not leaving a high-risk work environment and potentially exposing family members to the virus.
“Using vacant hotel rooms as accommodation for health workers and others will not only keep them and their families safe, but also provide much needed activity for a sector of the economy that’s been particularly hard hit by the spread of coronavirus.
“I’ve given my commitment to the Premier to support any decision he makes that are in the best interests of protecting public health. We now need to see him act, and act rapidly.”
Rebecca White
Labor Leader
