Premier's roadmap to Covid-19 recovery

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PLANS for a staged return to normal life following the coronavirus crisis have been released by the state government.

Premier Peter Gutwein yesterday released the government's Roadmap to Recovery, which he said would outline the process to rebuild a stronger Tasmania.

"While I thank all Tasmanians for following the rules and helping to suppress the virus, we know it isn’t going to go away overnight," Mr Gutwein said. "It is something we are going to have to live with for many months to come.

"That is why we have put in place our four safeguards – more testing, better tracing, rapid response, and COVIDSafe plans in order to gradually ease restrictions," he said.

COVID-19 IMPACT IN THE DERWENT VALLEY

Mr Gutwein said Tasmania would determine its own timeline to return to normality after the restrictions imposed in the effort to limit the spread of Covid-19. "We will keep marching to the beat of our own drum, and our pathway back will be gradual, careful, and always based upon the health advice we have at that time.

"Tasmania’s 'Roadmap' has three main stages, and a few milestones along the way. Most importantly the easing of restrictions will continue to be based on Public Health advice and may change depending on Tasmania’s circumstances," he said.

From Monday, May 11:

• Funerals will increase from 10 to 20 attendees;
• Aged care visits will move to one visit per week and no more than two visitors, managed by the facility;
• National parks and reserves will open to residents for exercise within 30km of their home;
• TasTAFE campuses and training facilities may open for small groups of students only attending practical learning and assessment sessions.

From Monday, May 18 (subject to Public Health advice):

• Gatherings increase to 10 people (except visitors to households for any purpose which is capped at 5 people) for indoor and outdoor, including real estate, small religious gatherings and weddings;
• Funerals can extend to 30 people outdoors;
• Restaurants and cafes in all settings (including restaurants in pubs, clubs, hotels and RSLs) open and seat patrons of up to 10 people at a time. Seated table service only with social distancing;
• Border controls will remain in place, except Tasmanian residents can quarantine in their principal residence if it is suitable;
• Community and local government facilities and libraries will be allowed to open for up to 10 people; 
• Park exercise equipment and playgrounds, pools and boot camps open for up to 10 people.

From Monday, May 25:

• Kindergarten to Year 6 students return to learning at school;
• Year 11 and 12 students at extension schools and colleges return to learning at school; and
• Aged care visits will move to national restrictions of two visitors, once a day.

From June 9:

• High School students from Year 7 to 10 return to school for learning.

On June 13:

• Racing will resume, subject to a review and risk assessment by Public Health

Stage Two, from June 15, subject to Public Health advice:

• Gatherings will increase to 20 people at a time for indoor and outdoor area  including restaurants/cafes, cinemas, museums, galleries, historic sites, religious gatherings and weddings;
• Funerals can have up to 50 attendees;
• Accommodation will be unlimited;
• Camping, overnight boating and shacks open;
• Open homes and auctions can resume with up to 20 people;
• Border controls remain in place;
• Gyms and boot camps will increase to 20 people;
• Beauty services (including tattoo, nails, waxing, facials and tanning) can open for up to 20 people;
• Park exercise equipment and playgrounds open for up to 20 people;
• Outdoor community sport resume, with up to 20 athletes/personnel (guided by the AIS proposed framework);
• Indoor sport and recreation, including pools with up to 20 people with no spectators (guided by the AIS proposed framework).

Stage Three, from July 1, subject to Public Health advice:

• Gatherings: 50-100 (indoor/outdoor) with the maximum allowable number to be determined by Public Health;
• Aged care homes will be allowed 5 visitors and multiple visits;
• Border controls will remain in place;
• Consider opening bars, night clubs and casinos/gaming;
• Markets to open, subject to Public Health advice;
• Food courts and food vans at markets open;
• Spas and bathhouses reopen;
• Day trips and camping for school groups allowed;
• Outdoor community sport^ to resume, with numbers to be guided by Public Health (guided by the AIS proposed framework);
• Indoor sport and recreation, including pools with numbers to be guided by Public Health (guided by the AIS proposed framework);

Throughout these steps, vulnerable people will be encouraged to stay home and protect their health. This includes:

• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people 50 years and older with one or more chronic medical conditions;
• People 65 years and older with chronic medical conditions;
• People 70 years and older;
• People with compromised immune systems and people with a disability.

"Gradually getting back to our normal way of life, while keeping the virus suppressed is going to be the hardest part of this fight," Mr Gutein said. "Stick to the rules, wash your hands regularly, maintain social distancing of a minimum of 1.5 metres when you go out and download the COVIDSafe app.

"We need to work together to recover gradually and responsibly, and I’m confident we will get our way of life back and we will rebuild a stronger Tasmania," he said.