Peter Gutwein,Premier
Our number one priority since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic has been to keep Tasmanians safe and secure.
While it is pleasing that Tasmania remains COVID-free, including no cases associated with those from the UK currently in hotel quarantine, we must remain vigilant, and we must continue doing all we can to protect Tasmanians should a case emerge in our State.
That's why, from 12.01am next Saturday 18 September, mask wearing will be compulsory for people who attend indoor or outdoor events where 1,000 or more people will be attending.
This is a common-sense approach that will help prevent transmission in places where maintaining physical distancing may be difficult should an infected person be present.
While the majority of regional Victoria has now come out of lockdown, we will continue to monitor the situation closely, with our current border restrictions to remain in place to ensure the safety of Tasmanians.
Vaccination remains a key step towards a COVID normal way of living and Tasmanians continue to do the right thing.
Pleasingly, this week we passed our target of more than 63 per cent of Tasmanians having a first COVID-19 vaccination ahead of schedule, with record vaccination rates over the last few weeks.
We expect if Tasmanians keep turning out to State Clinics, GPs and Pharmacies at the present rate, we will have over 70 per cent of Tasmanians aged 16 years and over having had a first dose by the end of the vaccination blitz on 26 September.
This puts us in a great position to achieve 80 per cent fully vaccinated around the end of October, which is fantastic news, and a credit to all Tasmanians who have heard the call to get vaccinated.
