COVID-19 - Key Updates

 COVID-19 - Key Updates

Posted on April 07, 2020

This page will be updated as required (last updated 7.4.20)

Premier Gutwein, Health Minister Courtney, Dr Mark Veitch, Prof Lawler

Key Messages

Stay home. Save Lives. Only leave house for essentials. Maintain personal hygiene. Exercise and shop locally. Observe physical distancing. Don’t go in groups into supermarket. Do not travel outside your local area unless you absolutely must. Take care of own mental health. Reach out if you need help. Reach out to others. Don’t go out and about for non- essential purposes, no browsing, quickly get essential supplies. Retailers must ensure appropriate physical distancing. No shack visits. Only launch boats in municipality you reside in during restriction. New restrictions for nursing homes and hospitals visits – see below Call GP or hotline if you think you have symptoms 1800671738

Additional Easter Restrictions – will apply for 2 weeks from 12 noon today

As of 12 noon today no visits to hospitals (with exceptions for birth of child, parents visiting sick children, end of life/compassion) As of 12 noon no visits to aged care facilities (exceptions only end of life/compassion to be determined by facility) Police will be checking those travelling on roads/ferries and in usually unoccupied shacks and asking what you are doing

Continuing restrictions:

Shacks must not be visited unless for urgent maintenance. Boats may only be launched in the municipality where a person’s primary residence is for

Cases

As of 6pm Monday night 3 new cases (1 cruise ship related in south, 2 news workers at NW Reg Hospital) Total cases 89

Testing

Targeted testing will now be increased in the North West Community No positive tests from community testing in NW undertake in past week

North West Regional Hospital

Six health care works have tested positive. Now being treated as an outbreak. 1 patient tested positive. The have been transferred to Mersey Hospital. When transferred the were not showing symptoms. Outbreak Management Team in place. Looking at all hospital, social and community contacts and following up aggressively. Ambulance Tas will now take all patients to Launceston General Hospital. Service delivery continues to be assessed with staff being brought in from around state as required.

Racing

Govt. will provide up to $2 million for Tas racing industry Strong focus on animal welfare Training facilities to remain open.

Easter

Stronger measures coming to protect regional coastal communities. Premier has spoken with a number of Mayors. Note older populations in these areas making them more vulnerable. Shacks must not be visited unless for urgent maintenance. People should not be travelling to launch boats. New Rule: Boats may only be launched in the municipality where a person’s primary residence is for the purpose of current stay at home measures. If people do not comply further restrictions on intrastate travel may be considered.

Legislative Council Elections: Huon & Rosevears

Leg. Co Elections for Huon & Rosevears to be deferred. Premier to issue Order to defer Leg. Co. elections. Election to be rescheduled prior to Legislative Council resetting in August noting the date could be deferred again.

Mental Health

Important to keep up social networks using technology It is normal to feel anxious and uncertain Reach out to mental health services if you need to talk or need help

Link to Mental Health Resources: https://www.coronavirus.tas.gov.au/keeping-yourself-safe/mental-health-support

www.coronavirus.tas.gov.au