Victorians Will Be Able to Visit Tasmania Without Quarantining from November 27
It'll be the final state allowed to cross the Strait.
Since Australia started easing out of COVID-19 lockdown, the country's internal border restrictions have earned plenty of attention. With tactics to stop the spread of the coronavirus implemented at a state-by-state level, each Aussie state has navigated the situation in its own way when it comes to letting non-residents visit.
In Tasmania, that has meant some strict quarantine requirements — which, for non-Tassie residents who weren't classified as essential travellers, entailed spending 14 days in government-designated accommodation. But, for most of the country, quarantine is no more. Travellers from Queensland, the ACT, SA, WA, the NT and New Zealand, which are deemed low-risk areas, have been allowed to hop on a plane and head across the Strait since Monday, October 26. Sydneysiders followed suit soon after, being granted access to the state from Friday, November 6.
Victoria remains the last state required to quarantine when entering Tasmania, however, this is all set to change later this month. An estimated date for Victoria to be marked low-risk and granted access to Tasmania was previously set for Tuesday, December 1. This date has now be pushed forward to Friday, November 27 — "subject to matters remaining on track in Victoria," Tasmanian Premier Peter Gutwein announced in a press conference on Wednesday, November 11.
During this press conference, Gutwein also revealed that from Friday, November 13, Victorians entering Tasmania will now be allowed to complete their 14 days of quarantine at home or a "designated residence" instead of a government-mandated hotel.
The announcement came after Victoria's 12th — now 13th — consecutive day without a new case of COVID-19.
Gutwein's press conference also included some exciting news for Tasmanians (and those visiting the southern state), confirming that from Friday, November 13, Tasmanian venues will be permitted to serve standing patrons — or 'vertical drinking' as it's been labelled — and that gatherings in Tasmania households can increase from 20 to 40 people.
All travellers to Tasmania are still currently required to fill out a Tas e-Travel form before they depart for the state. New Zealand residents are also legally required to complete at least 14 days of managed isolation or quarantine when returning to New Zealand.
Keen to start planning an adventure south? Mona Foma has announced it'll return to Launceston and Hobart in January — and we've pulled together this list of exciting food and drink spots in the state's northeast.
Visitors from low-risk areas (currently Queensland, the ACT, SA, WA, the NT, NSW and NZ) are allowed to visit Tasmania without quarantining. You must fill out a Tas e-Travel form a maximum of three days before you arrive. The state is set to open to Victoria from Friday, November 27.
To find out more about the status of COVID-19 in Tasmania and the state's corresponding restrictions, visit its online COVID-19 hub.
Top image: Bay of Fires via Lia Kuilenburg for Tourism Tasmania.
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