Peter Gutwein,Premier
Tasmania’s vaccination program remains on track as we continue to draw closer to reopening in six days on December 15.
As it currently stands, 95 per cent of Tasmanians over 16 have had at least one dose and 89 per cent are now fully vaccinated. For Tasmanians aged 12 and over, 93 per cent have had at least one dose and 87 per cent are fully vaccinated.
This means we have now passed NSW and Victoria to have the second highest first dose vaccination rate in Australia, just behind the ACT.
This is a fantastic effort and a credit to all Tasmanians who have rolled up their sleeves and gotten vaccinated, but we are not there yet, and we continue to urge Tasmanians to keep turning up to vaccination appointments for either your first or second dose.
Importantly, with Tasmania to reopen in six days time, we are prepared, and we are ready.
I can also advise we will be mandating vaccination broadly across the State Service, as well as Government Businesses, State Owned Companies, and some statutory and State authorities, following the finalisation of risk assessments conducted.
There will be some exceptions, such as the majority of the Department of Treasury and finance whose staff do not generally interact with the general public or other public-facing areas in Treasury.
For the State Service, Heads of Agencies have written to staff today to outline the outcomes of their respective risk assessments and of the expectations moving forward, including the date by which they will need to be provide evidence of being sufficiently vaccinated, which will vary across each individual agency depending on organisational needs.
Agency heads will also work with individual staff members who choose not to be vaccinated, to consider what options may be available.
Other State entities are finalising their arrangements and continue to consult with staff, and will notify them of requirements once this process has been completed which will occur as soon as possible.
However, I want to be clear – non-compliance could lead to termination, so please, if you haven’t yet been vaccinated, make an appointment now and protect yourself, your community and your loved ones by getting the jab.
Public Health is also currently working through the risk associated with childcare settings and whether mandatory vaccinations are needed across this sector, with the sector to be further consulted on Monday 13 December.
Keeping Tasmanians safe and secure remains our top priority and we will continue to keep the community updated as we draw closer to reopening on December 15.
