The past week has seen further changes to the restrictions on movement and businesses throughout Kingborough as the total number of coronavirus infections grows.
One of the most recent cases was a tour guide from the company who hosted two interstate visitors who were diagnosed upon their return home.
More information about the locations exposed to the tour group can be found on page 4 of this week’s Kingborough Chronicle.
On Thursday, April 2, Premier Peter Gutwein announced further restrictions on public movement, racing, garage sales, sex workers, farmers markets, TAB and UBET stores.
Although racing has been cancelled for at least the next four weeks, those caring for the racing animals will be allowed to continue their work, including farriers and veterinarians ensuring the well-being of the animals.
Families needing care for their animals and pets are also allowed to access veterinary services or boarding kennels if they need specialist care.
Farmers markets are being allowed to continue operating under strict social distancing and hygiene measures and will only be allowed to sell fresh food and produce.
Further restrictions state that no food is allowed to be sold to be consumed on site, meaning food vans cannot sell to the public at these sites.
The Premier also expressed his concern at still seeing groups of young people gathering in public spaces.
“The Tasmanian Government has a clear position,” stated Premier Gutwein.
“Unless you need to go out for work, essential supplies or medical reasons, to study if you can’t do it from home or for exercise; stay home to save lives and remain at your primary place of residence.”
Opposition Leader, the Honourable Rebecca White MP has also called on the community to heed the advice of the State Government.
“As we get closer to the Easter holidays the temptation will be for people to head to the shack, go to the beach and have family gatherings,” Ms White said.
“With worrying signs of community spread in some parts of the state there is no room for complacency.
“Please heed the advice of government and don’t attempt to find loop holes in the rules.,” Ms White urged.
“The advice from the State Government is simple, don’t go out unless you absolutely have to.
“It’s a small sacrifice to make in order to keep your community safe.”
“This Easter the message is clear: stay at home, save lives.”
Ms White has also asked the State Government to broaden the guidelines for testing to include anyone with symptoms, regardless of their recent travel.
According to the Australian Government Department of Health website, at the time of printing, Tasmania had the highest rate of positive test results at 2.8 per cent and also had the second lowest number of tests completed.
“News that two people from interstate travelled extensively throughout Tasmania before being diagnosed with coronavirus, is of great concern,” Ms White said.
“These travellers could have been in contact with so many people throughout the state and we need to respond urgently to track down as many people as possible who may have been infected.”
Current guidelines recommend testing only those who are showing symptoms, have travelled overseas, been on a cruise ship in the last 14 days or have been in contact with a confirmed COVID-19 case.
For those who have symptoms in the aged care or residential care industry, either staff or residents, testing is also now recommended.
“It’s clear that these guidelines need to be broadened as a matter of urgency so we can take advantage of the window we have to get on top of COVID-19,” Ms White continued.
“Without testing more widely, we simply can’t know the extent of community transmission, particularly in light of the knowledge that people can be carriers without feeling unwell and that the virus has an incubation period of around 14 days.
“We need to expand testing now so we can identify who has it as early as possible, not only to protect them, but also the wider community,” concluded Ms White.
At the time of printing, Tasmania had a total of 82 declared cases of COVID-19, increasing the total by 14 in the last week and two Tasmanians had died from the disease.
The situation with coronavirus is changing regularly.
People can stay up to date by visiting the Department of Health coronavirus website www.coronavirus.tas.gov.au or the Australian Government Department of Health website at www.health.gov.au.
