Peter Gutwein,Premier
The health and safety of Tasmanians remains our number one priority as we manage the ongoing challenges of COVID-19 and the reopening of our borders.
Today, National Cabinet discussed advice from AHPPC in relation to the management of close contacts to ensure there is national consistency and that there is not undue pressure on people to quarantine when their risk of infection is low.
This approach focuses on close contacts being identified as household or household-like contacts being required to quarantine. It also includes situations where a significant transmission event has occurred at a site or venue, depending on the nature of the exposure.
National Cabinet also discussed moving to a nationally consistent approach regarding quarantine and testing for close contacts, which will be 7 days quarantine regardless of your vaccination status.
In Tasmania we already require close contacts to quarantine for 7 days with testing in place, however, you will now need to undertake a Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) test on day one and day six, and can come out of quarantine if that is negative, on day 7.
In terms of isolation for a positive case, the Public Health advice is that in some cases this can be reduced from a minimum of 10 days to a minimum of 7 days depending on the individual circumstance.
Our Testing, Quarantine and Isolation Plan will be updated to reflect these changes once they are finalised, and we expect them to come into effect on 1 January.
There is no doubt that demand on testing is occurring across Australia including Tasmania, and it is important we are prioritising PCR testing those who are symptomatic, and those who have undertaken RAT tests with positive results.
To ensure this happens, we will be making Rapid Antigen Tests (RATs) freely available for those who require them under our rules with the State having immediately secured 500,000, and a further 2 million ordered and available next month.
We will be establishing two specific RAT test collection sites, with one to open today at Rokeby, from 5pm to 8pm, and the other at Glenorchy, which will open tomorrow.
Health will prioritise those who are eligible for a RAT until we have full supplies available, with eligible people to receive a text to turn up and collect a RAT. Please do not turn up unless you are asked to do so.
Those requiring a test should have a RAT, and only seek a PCR test if they have a positive RAT test or are symptomatic. This approach is aligned with other jurisdictions both around the world and here in Australia.
In regards to people travelling to Tasmania, from 12.01am on the 1st of January we also will not require PCR tests 72 hours prior to travelling.
Confirmation of a negative RAT test undertaken 24 hours prior to domestic travel from all States and Territories to Tasmania will be required, with the onus on travellers to ensure they are doing the right thing.
Fines of up to $1557 will still apply for anyone who is caught doing the wrong thing.
You will also be given a RAT test on arrival in Tasmania and will be required to undertake that test if symptoms develop, or you become a close contact of a case.
This includes Tasmanians who travel interstate for short trips up to seven days with Tasmanians returning after seven days away also required to do a pre-departure RAT test before returning to Tasmania.
Pleasingly, Tasmanians are continuing to vaccinate with 97.6% of Tasmanians aged 16 and over have had at least one dose and 92.9% are fully vaccinated, while 96.6% of Tasmanians aged 12 and over have had one dose and 91.6% are fully vaccinated.
More than 56,000 Booster doses have now already been delivered to Tasmanians aged 18 and over.
From the 10th of January there will be 4 mass vaccination clinics in large urban areas, 17 regional pop-up clinics and up to 87 participating GPs delivering vaccinations to our five to 11 year olds.
Tasmanians are encouraged to continue to use common sense: wear your mask indoors, practice good hygiene, get tested if unwell even with mild symptoms and use the Check in Tas App.
Importantly, if you’re unwell even with the mildest of symptoms, get a test and isolate until you receive the result.
