The Tasmanian Government is monitoring the rapidly changing situation with regard to COVID-19 in Tasmania and its potential impacts on the industry and our community and will continue to share information and updates as they come to hand.
For the latest information, visit coronavirus.tas.gov.au
New restrictions on gatherings will be in place in Tasmania from 11.59pm Monday 30 March 2020 to help slow the spread of COVID-19 in our community.
Tasmanians should stay at home unless they need to be away from home:
• shopping for supplies or services; or
• undertaking personal exercise; or
• attending medical, or health care, appointments or for medical treatment; or
• providing social support, or care, to another person (including compassionate needs, or to facilitate shared custody, guardianship or care arrangements for another person); or
• attending school or study, if unable to be performed at the person’s home; or
• attending work, or volunteering, if unable to be performed at the person’s home; or
• seeking veterinary services for an animal;
• performing essential maintenance, or security inspections, of another premises owned, or occupied, by the person;
• attending another location if you have a reasonable excuse, in the opinion of the Director of Public Health or his or her delegate, to attend the location.
New rules apply to indoor and outdoor gatherings, with a rule of 2 persons to be applied, except for gatherings of household members, those in shared custody or guardianship arrangements.
This means in the home, only two extra visitors are permitted at any one time. Outside the home, you may be with the people who live in your household, or if leaving the home alone, you may meet one other person to comply with the maximum group size of two people.
Arrangements have been made to ensure that shared parenting arrangements can be complied with, and other necessary arrangements for legal guardians, care givers etc.
There are exemptions to the two person rule, including to allow more than two people in a private vehicle, in passenger transport, on a ferry service or vessel, at a medical, health or veterinary service or residential care facility, for the purpose of emergency services, at permitted businesses (eg supermarkets, pharmacies), at work (except if your venue or service is prohibited) and at school, childcare or educational institution.
It is no longer permitted to use play equipment in public playgrounds and parks. Outside gyms, playgrounds and skate parks in public places are to be closed. Boot camps are limited to two people (the trainer and participant).
Funerals can still have a maximum of 10 people and weddings five people, with the relevant restrictions applying to ensure compliance with social distancing.
Vulnerable Tasmanians
It is also recommended that Indigenous people over the age of 50; people over the age of 60 with existing health conditions or comorbidities; and anyone over the age of 70 should stay at home as much as possible to protect their health.
This does not mean that they are unable to leave home for essential services or supplies, or to visit loved ones for social support and connection.
But members of these high risk groups should take extra precautions to avoid unwell visitors, including unwell children that might not fully understand social distancing boundaries.
Movement between residences
People with more than one residence in Tasmania (eg shack owners) need to base themselves in their primary residence for the next four weeks from 11.59pm Monday 30 March 2020, unless there is a need for a household member to self-isolate in the primary residence (in that case the second residence is appropriate to use to separate household members), or if urgent repairs, maintenance or a security check needs to be undertaken at the other residence.
Business restrictions
Venue closures
As of midnight Monday 30 March 2020, the following are not permitted to operate in public places:
• play equipment in public playgrounds and parks
• outside gyms, playgrounds and skate parks
• boot camps – limited to two people (the trainer and participant).
As of midnight Wednesday 25 March 2020, the following are not permitted to operate:
• Hotels, motels, hostels, bed and breakfasts and boarding houses (excluding permanent residents and workers). NB: People who are staying at all these accommodation types in Tasmania, have until 11.59pm Wednesday 1 April 2020 to depart. Anyone self-isolating must continue to do so for the 14-day self-isolation period. New bookings cannot be made. See emergency accommodation for travellers for more information
• Caravans, camping parks and campsites (except where people live permanently or if their primary residence isn’t available). NB: People who are staying at caravan parks in Tasmania, have until 11.59pm Wednesday 1 April 2020 to depart
• Amusement parks and arcades
• Auction houses
• Beauty therapy, tanning, waxing, manicure or other nail treatments, tattoos, ear and body piercing, body modification and other similar services
• Boot camps and personal training sessions (excluding outdoor sessions, which are limited to groups of 10 people and social distancing of one person per four square metres applied)
• Cafés (excepting takeaway service and home delivery, cafés or canteens at hospitals, care homes or schools; prison and military canteens; services providing food or drink to the homeless, workplace canteens can provide takeaway)
• Community and recreation centres, unless being used to host essential voluntary or public services, such as food banks or homeless services
• Community facilities, such as halls, clubs and RSLs
• Concert venues, theatre, arenas, auditoriums, stadiums
• Food courts, except for delivery and takeaway
• Funerals maximum attendance of no more than 10 people* and where the one person per four square metre rule applies
• Galleries, museums, national institutions and historic sites
• Hairdressers and barber shops – limited to 1 person per 4 square metre rule and personal contact minimised as much as possible
• Health clubs, fitness centres, yoga, barre and spin facilities
• Indoor and outdoor play centres
• Libraries, community centres and youth centres
• Local government non-essential facilities and services, such as libraries and pools
• Outdoor markets (other than food or farmers markets)
• Places of worship
• Real estate auctions and open house inspections – private inspection appointments permitted
• Saunas, bathhouses and wellness centres
• Social sporting-based activities
• Spas and massage parlours
• Strip clubs, and sex on premises venues
• Swimming pools
• Weddings – maximum attendance of no more than five people and where the one person per four square metre rule applies.
*Additional family members might be able to attend a funeral under special circumstances, provided States and Territories provide the exemption.
The new closures are in addition to the following facilities, which stopped operating from noon Monday 23 March 2020:
• Pubs, registered and licenced clubs (excluding bottle shops attached to these venues), hotels (excluding accommodation)
• Gyms and indoor sporting venues
• Cinemas, entertainment venues, casinos, and night clubs
• Restaurants and cafés will be restricted to takeaway and/or home delivery
• Religious gatherings and places of worship.
How long will these measures be in place?
These measures will be regularly reviewed based on advice from the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee.
How will businesses be supported during this time?
The Tasmanian and Australian Governments have announced significant support packages for affected businesses.
The Tasmanian Government is working with business and industry to provide advice through peak organisations and directly to businesses.
Both the Tasmanian and Australian Governments have announced significant packages of support with cash payments, tax breaks, and interest free loans to support businesses affected by these necessary changes to help stop the spread of the virus.
Affected workers will be supported with cash payments, increased job-seeker payments and the ability to access their superannuation early to assist during periods of unemployment relating to COVID-19.
Why are shopping centres still open?
At this time shopping centres remain open to ensure that the community is able to purchase essential supplies and access services. The Government will continue to take advice on as the COVID-19 situation continues.
What are the penalties for non-compliance?
Compliance with the closure measures is compulsory under the law. Non-compliance with these measures can lead to fines and penalties, including three months’ imprisonment.
Event organisers can call the number below between 9:00 am and 5:00 pm seven days a week:
Events Hotline – 1300 880 634
If you’re part of a Tasmanian business, you can register impact and find out about support options on 1800 440 026 or visit the Business Tasmania website.
*This information is correct as of 9:00 am, Tuesday 31 March 2020 and is subject to change.
For the latest information, visit coronavirus.tas.gov.au
