159 seasonal workers from Vanuatu began their quarantine in Hobart last night, as the first cohort to arrive in the State under the recent agreement struck between Tasmania and Victoria.
Of the 159 workers on board, 56 will be staying to work in Tasmania post-quarantine to help our farms and agri-businesses, with the rest heading to work in Victoria.
Under the agreement with the Victorian Government, Tasmania will quarantine workers from the Pacific Islands in Government designated facilities over the first half of 2021, with costs to be borne by the Victorian Government and the agriculture industry.
In return, the Victorian Government will facilitate Tasmania’s commitment towards repatriating overseas Australians, an agreement it intends to honour as a priority when international flights to that state resume.
A second flight from the Solomon Islands is scheduled to arrive in Hobart in the early hours of next Tuesday morning, with 144 workers on board. 54 of these will be staying to work in Tasmania post-quarantine, with the rest heading to work in Victoria.
Our advice is that these workers present a low risk of COVID-19 to our community but in line with our requirements will enter 14 days of hotel quarantine on their arrival to ensure Tasmanians are kept safe, along with a number of safeguards including being tested twice before leaving quarantine.
More Media Releases from Guy Barnett
More Media Releases from the Minister for Primary Industries and Water