Tasmania will introduce mandatory COVID-19 testing on arrival for all essential travellers from Victoria and other determined hotspots in NSW from tomorrow morning (31 July).
“From tomorrow morning, 31 July, we will introduce, on the advice from public health, mandatory testing on arrival of all essential travellers from Victoria or determined hot-spots, such as those outlined by the NSW Government,” Tasmanian Premier, Peter Gutwein said.
The Premier said travellers from hotspot zones were unlikely to be granted exemptions to travel to Tasmania unless there were exceptional circumstances.
“In regards to freight and logistics operators, Tasmania will adopt an approach consistent with the Draft National Protocol for Domestic Border Control- Freight Management,” he said.
“This means that freight and logistics operators will need to undergo a test on arrival unless they have evidence of having had a COVID-19 test not less than seven days prior to their arrival in Tasmania.”
He also announced new quarantine arrangements for returning Tasmanian residents.
“From Friday 31 July (if you travel by air), or Saturday morning, 1 August (if you travel by sea), all non-Tasmanian and Tasmanian residents who are required to stay in mandatory government–designated hotel quarantine, will do so at their own expense, except in cases of extreme hardship.”
“This will be $2,800 per person, with a reduced per-person rate for couples and families.”
He said currently all non-essential travellers arriving in Tasmania were required to enter quarantine.
The new requirement will apply to all non-essential travellers arriving in Tasmania who are required to undertake 14 days quarantine in the government provided accommodation.
“People who are already undertaking 14 days quarantine in Government-appointed accommodation prior to 31 July will not be required to pay,” he said.
“Tasmanian residents with an exemption to undertake quarantine at their private residence are not affected by the change.”
