The Tasmanian Liberal Government recognises that while the internal restrictions we have had to put in place have been necessary to protect the health and safety of Tasmanians, we also need a pathway to return to a new COVID-normal way of living.
Our Summer Social package contains three components to provide Tasmanians with an outline on how we can socialise safely this summer, including strengthening contact tracing and easing restrictions in a safe way.
From 13 November, contact tracing in hospitality venues will be mandatory.
For those venues that do not already have a method of recording the required information, there will be a pro forma contact tracing register on the Worksafe website from today, and further work is being done on an electronic solution.
It will only require one person in a group to sign in and the information collected will only include name, phone number, date and time.
It will be a legal requirement that the information can only be used for the purpose for which it is collected.
The second component of our Summer Social package will be to allow ‘vertical drinking’ at hospitality venues in their outdoor areas also from 13 November.
Following this being implemented in a safe and satisfactory manner, further consideration will be given to relaxing the vertical drinking restriction for indoor areas closer to Christmas.
The third component, is around providing certainty about the rules for family gatherings in homes. From 13 November, we will double the number of visitors permitted at household gatherings to 40. This will come as welcome news for many families as they prepare and plan for Christmas.
We will also look at increasing the number of people permitted to attend larger private properties for events such as weddings and further information will be provided on this in coming weeks.
I’d like to remind Tasmanians, as we head into the warmer months, please continue to do the right thing.
Remember to physically distance, cover your coughs and sneezes, stay home if you’re unwell and don’t hesitate to get a test. Even if your symptoms are mild.