Peter Gutwein,Premier
Our number one priority since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic has been to keep Tasmanians safe and secure.
We have worked hard to keep COVID-19 out of Tasmania and we continue to do so at every step, especially in light of the Delta strain that is wreaking havoc interstate and across the world.
That's why we announced our 4-point Delta Shield Plan earlier this week that will strengthen our borders, strengthen our testing, tracking, and tracking systems, help businesses struggling with border closures, and get as many Tasmanians vaccinated as possible through our super-six-week vaccine blitz.
Our aim is to have more than 63 per cent of Tasmanians vaccinated with their first dose by 12 September, and with our super-six-week blitz currently underway, we've already added more than 5000 appointments at our community clinics across the State over the last 24 hours – a phenomenal effort that Tasmanians should be proud of.
We are also organising clinics to vaccinate our 16-to-18-year-old students at their schools from August 23. This will include Tasmanian Government Colleges and extension schools, as well as independent and catholic schools, and will be structured so that students' examination and other assessment processes are not disrupted.
The first of these schools will be Elizabeth College in the South, and our roll out plan for the North and North West is currently being finalised, with an update to be provided next week. Pleasingly, the first tranche of pharmacies have joined the blitz, with the first of those vaccinating Tasmanians from today and 46 expected to be online in coming days.
The vaccine remains our number one defence against this insidious virus, and our message to Tasmanians remains – don't wait. Vaccinate.
Importantly, while we continue to strengthen our position against Delta, and with cases continuing to mount interstate, our current border restrictions will remain in place, including with the 11 LGA's in South East Queensland and the two LGA's in the Cairns region to ensure the outbreak there has been fully contained. Further advice is expected to be provided on Monday on these two areas.
The ACT has also been declared a high-risk level 2 region in response to several positive cases in that jurisdiction, meaning from 5pm yesterday anyone who has been in the ACT on or since the 5th of August will not be permitted to enter Tasmania, unless approved as an essential traveller. If approved, that person will be subject to a 14 day quarantine in a suitable premises.
It also means all Tasmanians who arrived home from 5pm yesterday and who have been in the ACT, on or since the 5th of August, must immediately isolate and follow the stay-at-home restrictions.
As I have said, the Delta strain of COVID-19 has changed the game, and we are responding accordingly, but everyone must play their part, and Tasmanians are continuing to do the right thing and get tested, with over 1360 tests conducted in the past 24 hours.
Keep doing the right thing. Please get vaccinated, cover your coughs and sneezes, wash and sanitise your hands regularly, maintain appropriate distancing, stay home if you're unwell and get tested – even if you have mild symptoms.
