Tasmania reveals reopening date to Australia’s mainland

The Tasmanian government has announced that the state’s borders will reopen to all mainland jurisdictions on 15 December.

Tasmanian Premier Peter Gutwein said he was confident that everyone above the age of 12 will have had the opportunity to be vaccinated by the reopening date, and that the state will have achieved a 90 per cent vaccination rate for 12-year-olds and above.

“We will not turn back from this date, and so my message to every eligible Tasmanian over the age of 12 is, if you’re not vaccinated, don’t wait until December 14 – make an appointment today and get it done as soon as you can,” he said.

“We have already achieved our 70 per cent fully vaccinated target for 16 years and over, and we expect to achieve our 80 per cent target early November, at which point we will implement a risk-based home quarantine system for most returning Tasmanians and travellers who have suitable premises subject to public health advice, provided they are fully vaccinated if over 16, and have a negative test 72 hours prior to travel.”

From 15 December, anyone will be able to enter Tasmania from anywhere within Australia, subject to being fully vaccinated (12 years and over), and having a negative test result within 72 hours of travel.

Returning Tasmanians who undertake a short trip of less than seven days will not need to have the test within 72 hours of travel and, subject to being fully vaccinated, will be able to return without completing quarantine.

Premier Gutwein said that, based on specific modelling and the state’s vaccination rates, Tasmania can reopen and keep on top of COVID.

“To be clear, the modelling does take into account the retention of some important hygiene measures and COVID safeguards, particularly across the first few months, including gathering restrictions, density limits and mask wearing in high-risk indoor settings,” he added.

“As we draw closer to December 15, we will continue to take public health advice on what the most appropriate settings for Tasmania will be as our borders reopen.”

You can check out the state government’s ‘Reconnecting Tasmania’ plan and the Tasmanian-specific modelling here.

Featured image source: Facebook/ABC Hobart

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