Premier Peter Gutwein’s clear failure to prepare Tasmania before he opened the borders to COVID requires immediate action before the virus is allowed to get even further out of control.
Labor Leader Rebecca White said since the Premier had so badly failed in his response to the impact of COVID entering Tasmania and now lost control, Labor was today releasing a COVID-19 Response Framework for Tasmania to help guide Tasmania out of the current chaos and support our health sector, community and economy.
Ms White said under Labor’s Framework, the government must:
- Get on top of testing, including urgently diverting some of the Rapid Antigen Tests currently available at airports, making them available in regions where testing is not easily accessible and free
- Roll out Boosters, prioritising access to those most at risk and in high-risk workplaces
- Provide adequate support for workers and employers, including increasing payments for isolating while waiting for testing, in line with other jurisdictions like Victoria, and supporting businesses which have had to close
- Support those most at risk, including providing high-quality masks for higher-risk Tasmanians
- Prepare now for the new school year, ensuring all school buildings have adequate ventilation and air purification devices and firm guidelines to ensure students and teachers are kept safe
- Communicate clearly, providing clear explanations as to why major policy changes are being made
- Secure Critical Supplies, as an island we are isolated and the government must make sure we don’t see essential services disrupted and there is adequate supply of vaccinations for children and at-risk Tasmanians who may require additional vaccination boosters
“Peter Gutwein repeatedly assured Tasmanians our state was ready for him opening the borders to COVID but the past three weeks have shown that was simply not the case and we are in a chaotic situation,” Ms White said.
“Mr Gutwein and his government had 18 months to prepare for their planned re-opening.
“But within just two weeks of COVID re-entering Tasmania, contact tracing broke down and the government gave up.
“People cannot get a COVID test and they are struggling to get basic information and support when they are sick because the public health hotline is so overwhelmed.
“Businesses are struggling or closing.
“Peter Gutwein can no longer stand before Tasmanians and ask them to bear with him because his plan is in tatters and clearly he needs urgent guidance on how to remedy this frightening situation.”
You can read Labor’s COVID-19 Response Framework for Tasmania here.
Rebecca White MP
Labor Leader
