Three people have been fined for putting the community at risk by breaching COVID-19 Directions in recent days, with each required to pay $778.50.
Anyone entering Tasmania from a High-Risk area must seek pre-approval from the Deputy State Controller to enter the state as an Essential Traveller. The Good to Go (G2G) system is used to apply, assess, endorse or reject these applications. All those arriving from a low- risk area are required to apply for a Tas E Travel Pass.
The three separate incidents:
- A 39-year-old Burnie man, who travelled from Queensland to Tasmania on 18 July, failed to declare on arrival that he had been to New South Wales, which is a high-risk (level 1) area in New South Wales. Information was later reported to police who interviewed the man and issued him a fine on 6 August.
- A 56-year-old man from Queensland (high risk level 2 area) arrived in Tasmania on the Spirit of Tasmania on 5 August without pre-approval, and was directed into a Government quarantine facility. Investigations revealed the man had applied to enter Tasmania previously and had been rejected. The man was interviewed by police, issued an infringement notice and directed to leave Tasmania. The man was rejected on the basis that he had been in a high-risk area and did not meet the criteria of an essential traveller and is due to leave today
- A 48-year-old man from Victoria (high risk level 2 area) was issued a fine after arriving on the Spirit of Tasmanian on 7 August without prior authorisation. The man was directed to leave Tasmania and did so that evening. (*Note this infringement was reported to media on 8 August)
Inspector John Toohey from the State Police Operations Centre said Tasmania Police will continue to enforce non-compliance at our border and anyone who knowingly arrives in Tasmania without approval will be issued a $778.50 fine.
"The message is simple, if you do not have an approved pass to enter Tasmania, do not travel," Inspector Toohey said.
"The changing COVID environment with the Delta strain has presented significant challenges in mainland states and we need to ensure the community complies with directions.
"Tasmania Police will not hesitate to penalise those who blatantly breach current directions," he said.
For the most up to date entry requirements and border restrictions visit:-
https://www.coronavirus.tas.gov.au/travellers-and-visitors/coming-to-tasmania
