Intelligence Alert: Authorities in Tasmania Reopen the Border to most Australian States as of Oct. 27
Update 3 | Warning Alert | Alerted October 27, 2020 at 3:12 a.m. EDT
Authorities in Tasmania reopen the border to most Australian states as of Oct. 27. Statewide COVID-19 restrictions ongoing.
Authorities in Tasmania have eased border controls for most Australian states and New Zealand as of Oct. 27 due to reduced coronavirus disease (COVID-19) activity in other parts of Australia. The state remains in Stage 3 of its recovery plan, and officials are maintaining statewide business restrictions. Nonessential businesses, such as bars, clubs, tattoo parlors, and beauty salons, have reopened; however, dancing restrictions remain for bars and clubs. Authorities now allow outdoor events of up to 1,000 people and indoor public gatherings of 250 people, provided venues adhere to a density limit of one person per two square meters (21.5 square feet). Capacity restrictions do not apply to emergency services, transport hubs, and educational institutions, among others. Gatherings at home remain limited to 20 guests.
Domestic Border Controls
Officials are classifying locations as high, medium, and low risk to determine travel permissions. The government is permitting travelers who have spent the past 14 days in low-risk locations, including the Australian Capital Territory, Northern Territory, Queensland, South Australia, and Western Australia, without quarantine requirements. Travelers from these areas must still register with the Tas e-Travel system within three days of their arrival.
Victoria remains on the government's high-risk list, and travelers who have been in the state within 28 days of arrival in Tasmania must still quarantine for 14 days in government-designated sites. However, exceptions are in place for people who can prove they have completed quarantine in another location, received a negative result from a COVID-19 test on or after 10 days in Australia, and directly transited to Tasmania after completing quarantine in a medium- or high-risk location. Authorities have designated New South Wales as a medium-risk location through at least Nov. 6, and travelers from the state must continue to self-quarantine or quarantine at government-designated facilities for 14 days upon arrival until that date. Exemptions remain in place for essential travelers from Victoria and New South Wales. Officials require all passengers from Victoria to request permission before traveling via the G2G PASS system, while travelers from New South Wales must provide accommodation details using the system.
Quarantine Requirements
Most travelers entering Australia must quarantine in government-designated facilities for 14 days in the city of arrival. Tasmania has designated New Zealand as a low-risk location, and travelers from the country can enter the state without quarantine. Tasmania is charging domestic and international travelers for quarantine, payable after the quarantine period. Quarantine fees are AUD 2,800 (USD 2,006) for the first adult and AUD 1,000 (USD 715) for each additional adult or AUD 500 (USD 358) for children, except those under three years old.
Follow all official instructions. Abide by government health and safety measures. Reconfirm all travel arrangements. Liaise with trusted contacts for further updates and guidance. Maintain contact with your diplomatic representation. Plan for transport disruptions and delivery delays at designated hotspot areas. Ensure contingency plans account for further disruptive measures or extensions of current restrictions.
Emphasize basic health precautions, especially frequent handwashing with soap and water, or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are unavailable. Practice good coughing/sneezing etiquette (i.e., covering coughs and sneezes with disposable tissue, maintaining distance from others, and washing hands). There is no evidence that the influenza vaccine, antibiotics, or antiviral medications will prevent this disease, highlighting the importance of diligent basic health precautions.