Health Minister Jeremy Rockliff has no answer on how Tasmania’s COVID testing capacity will cope with an influx of tourists as the state’s borders open.
Shadow Health Minister Anita Dow said now that there is finally some clarity on the cost of COVID testing for travellers, Mr Rockliff has clearly not planned for the thousands of interstate tourists who would require a negative test in Tasmania before they were able to depart for their home states during the peak summer period.
“Rather than answer serious questions about how our testing clinics will be prepared and able to cope with significant increases in demand, Mr Rockliff literally walked away during Question Time today and sat down,” Ms Dow said.
“The Federal Government has overnight announced that travellers who require a test due to health orders in place in other states including South Australia, Queensland and Western Australia will not be charged a fee and that is obviously going to place increased pressure on our testing clinics locally.
“Mr Rockliff needs to be clear whether or not tourists visiting Tasmania who require tests before returning home to these states will be able to obtain them at Tasmanian Government testing clinics.
“Mr Rockliff needs to clarify how our testing clinics will be able to cope with that demand.
“Mr Rockliff needs to outline what plan – if any – is in place to ensure Tasmania’s entire testing capacity isn’t taken up by interstate tourists.
“Answering these questions is critical – walking away from them is unacceptable.”
Anita Dow MP
Shadow Health Minister
