The health and safety of Tasmanians remains our number one priority as we continue to deal with the coronavirus pandemic.
In response to the escalating situation in New South Wales, the Greater Sydney area will be classified as a medium-risk jurisdiction by the Director of Public Health, effective from midnight tonight. The Northern Beaches area within the Greater Sydney footprint will remain as a high-risk area.
This means that from midnight tonight, anyone who travels to Tasmania from the Greater Sydney area will have to quarantine for 14 days from arrival in Tasmania. As the Northern Beaches area remains high-risk, only Tasmanians returning home can come to Tasmania from this area and they will be required to quarantine for 14 days as well.
Quarantine can be undertaken at a suitable residence, or for those without a residence, at a Government quarantine hotel at your own expense.
The rest of NSW will remain as low-risk for now.
I know this news will be a blow for many who were looking forward to seeing family and friends from the affected areas, but the safety of all Tasmanians must come first, and I make no apologies for going hard to lessen the risk of an outbreak occurring in Tasmania.
Public Health will continue to monitor the situation and we will not hesitate to take further action, if needed, if the situation worsens.
Additionally, in response to an increase in testing rates, the PW1 testing clinic that was due to close and move tomorrow afternoon will now remain in operation until at least Tuesday 22 December, with a review undertaken Tuesday evening.
The new testing clinic at the corner of Melville and Argyle Street will also open as planned on Monday 21 December from 10am.
The two sites will operate as bookings only on Monday and Tuesday to cater for the increased demand, and further information on testing sites and hours of operation will be released on Wednesday.
I thank Tasmanians for continuing to do the right thing, but there is no room for complacency. Continue to wash your hands, cover your coughs and sneezes, if you’re unwell stay at home and don’t go to work, and if you display even the mildest symptoms, please, get a test.