Peter Gutwein,Premier
The Tasmanian Government’s number one priority since the start of the pandemic has been to keep Tasmanians safe, and pleasingly we are now one of the most vaccinated places in the world.
In what will be welcome news for many Tasmanians, I can confirm that, based on Public Health advice, masks will be recommended, but no longer mandatory in a range of settings.
From 5pm tonight, masks will no longer be mandatory for staff, customers and patrons in:
*Retail businesses, and other workplaces where it’s not specified as being required, such as construction sites;
*Hospitality venues, including restaurants, cafes, pubs and clubs;
*Indoor and outdoor events;
*Indoor sport recreation areas and gyms;
*Offices;
*Places of worship; and
*Personal services, for example hairdressers and beauticians.
Masks will be retained in high-risk settings where transmissibility is more of a risk including:
*Hospitals;
*Residential aged care facilities, residential disability care facilities and in-home care;
*Correctional facilities;
*Health care facilities and medical services (including GPs, dentists, optometrists, pharmacies and other allied health providers);
*In schools, teachers, staff and visitors only, as well as students in secondary school, and early childhood services; and
*Public transport, including taxis and ride-share, airports and aircraft, Spirit of Tasmania and ports.
Importantly, if people want to keep wearing masks for their own protection to minimise the spread of transmission, they are encouraged to do so.
Our high vaccination rates are helping to maintain lower levels of hospitalisation rates than other jurisdictions, however, we cannot be complacent.
National Cabinet will today consider a Winter National COVID and Influenza Preparedness Plan and the Tasmanian Government will release our Winter Flu Plan next week.
I’d like to remind Tasmanians it’s very important to remember the basics of good hygiene, distancing where possible, covering coughs and sneezes and staying home and getting tested if you develop symptoms.
