Labor applauds steps taken by the State government to protect Tasmanians as the impact of COVID-19 continues to grow, but quick action is still needed on multiple fronts.
Labor Leader Rebecca White said with new travel restrictions coming into effect from tonight, government must communicate its expectations of personal responsibility to all travellers.
"Regardless of whether people arrive in Tasmania before or after the new restrictions take effect, government must clearly communicate that travellers must be hyper vigilant and self-isolate if there are any signs of symptoms.
"People arriving in Tasmania can't be complacent because they arrived ahead of the cutoff. This is not just about personal health, it is about public health. If travellers fail to follow public health advice it will inevitably mean people are unnecessarily put at risk.
"It's vital that the government puts in place a very strong presence at Tasmania's airports today ahead of the new travel restrictions, to reinforce these messages and deal with non-compliance."
Ms White said government must also act quickly to support affected individuals and businesses.
"We have a highly casualised workforce and people are already feeling pain. People self-isolating are losing income, and businesses in affected industries are struggling to survive.
"I urge the government to provide a safety net that includes suspension of mortgage and other loan payments, protection against eviction from private rental property, and financial support to avoid poverty and homelessness.
"Sole traders and people who are self-employed have missed out in both the State and federal stimulus packages. There are nearly 20,000 sole traders in Tasmania who rely on their business for income.
"I urge the government to support these businesses through a targeted package that includes deferred utility bills, deferred land tax payments, rates remissions, and protection from eviction from business premises if they can't generate income.
"The Labor party will support any measure implemented by the government to protect the health of Tasmanians and keep them out of poverty.
"These are extraordinary times and call for exceptional measures."
Labor Leader
Rebecca White
