Public Health Alert

 Public Health Alert

Posted on April 02, 2020

2 April 2020 Dr Mark Veitch, Director of Public Health, Public Health Services Coronavirus alert

Public Health Services have contacted a number of tourism and hospitality businesses following advice from an interstate health department that two people who travelled in Tasmania last month have subsequently been diagnosed with coronavirus.

The two people travelled together as part of an organised tour of Tasmania from 12 to 23 March.

One was likely to have been infectious with coronavirus from 12 March. The other from 19 March.

Neither person was aware they had coronavirus while they were in Tasmania and did not present for either medical care or testing.

They were only diagnosed after they returned to their home state.

As part of the PHS investigation into their movements, it has been determined that they visited the following locations:

Hobart Travel Lodge (12-19 March) Gray Line tour bus from Hobart to Port Arthur (morning of 13 March) Port Arthur Historic Site and visitor centre (13 March) Carnarvon Bay ‘Navigators’ boat tour (afternoon of 13 March) Female Factory Site, South Hobart (morning of 14 March) Cascade Gardens, South Hobart (morning of 14 March) MONA ferry from Hobart (1.15pm, 14 March) MONA (1.30 to 4pm, 14 March) Peppermint Bay Cruise and Restaurant (15 March) Freycinet Marine Farm (16 March) Kate’s Berry Farm (16 March) Pennicott Cruises on Bruny Island (17 March) Female Factory, South Hobart (18 March) Grape Food and Wine Bar, Salamanca (18 March) Launceston Leisure Inn (19-23 March) Bridestowe Lavender Farm (20 March) Pyengana Cheese Factory (20 March) Lease 65, St Helens (20 March) Batman Bridge River Cruise, run by Tamar River Cruises (21 March) Cradle Mountain Visitor Centre and Waldheim Chalet (22 March) Ashgrove Tasmanian Farm (22 March)

Anyone who was at these locations on these days and who developed or develops respiratory symptoms in the 14 days after they were there should contact the Public Health Hotline on 1800 761 738.

Public Health Services is working with the tour operator to obtain more specific details about transport taken by the persons while in Tasmania and will provide this additional information as soon as it is available.

Public Health Services is also sharing this information with communicable disease agencies interstate because it is expected that most close contacts of these cases will be interstate residents.

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.

Anyone requiring more information about coronavirus should contact the National Coronavirus Health Information Line on 1800 020 080.

Contact: Rohan Wade

Phone: 0417 051 255