Tasmania has declared a public health emergency.
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The declaration of a public health emergency means stronger powers and sanctions will be available to the director of Public Health.
Public Health deputy director Scott McKeown said strong powers were needed to combat the spread of the deadly COVID-19 disease.
"Coronavirus can be severe and no specific treatment currently exists. Public health measures are required to mitigate the risks to both human health and the healthcare system," Dr McKeown said.
"While most people who will get coronavirus will experience a mild disease, it can be serious or even fatal for some, and an uncontrolled epidemic can cause very high demands on the health care system."
Dr McKeown said under the declaration the director had broad powers such as being able to issue directions to quarantine or isolate, require a person to get a clinical assessment, ban people from entering particular areas and require people to leave particular areas.
"These powers will allow the director to slow COVID-19 spread in Tasmania when it occurs and protect people must vulnerable to the spread," Dr McKeown said.
He said the powers would be initially used to ban mass gatherings and ensure people who return to Tasmania from overseas isolate for 14 days.
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"The status of the declaration will be reviewed regularly, and Tasmanians can be assured this provides the director of Public Health with the necessary powers to do what is needed to control coronavirus in Tasmania and protect public health," he said.
Dr McKeown said information about other potential measures, such as banning the use of poker machines to avoid spreading the disease, would be available after a Federal cabinet meeting being held on Tuesday.
"While I can't comment on specific examples, there will be further information which will come out which will allow these decisions to be made," Dr McKeown said.
He also advised the risk of community transmission in Tasmania remained low and, while he could not advise the number of coronavirus tests being returned each day, the state had the ability to significantly step up its testing facilities.
Premier Peter Gutwein said Tasmania would not yet be declaring a state of emergency.
Mr Gutwein said the declaration of a public health emergency was a precautious move.
"This is not a reaction to an imminent threat," he said.
"These are the next steps in our proportionate and scaled response we are taking."
Later today Mr Gutwein will announce a state stimulus package in an address to the Parliament.
"We will use the budget as an economic stabiliser for our economy and to support people to ensure they can continue their work," Mr Gutwein said.
The government also announced it has taken possession of the Royal Hobart Hospital's new K-Block.
Health Minister Sarah Courtney said outstanding issues with water quality and noise would be addressed during the three-month operational commissioning phase.
"With the ongoing challenge of coronavirus, we need to ensure this part of the redevelopment is operational as soon as practically possible, so our Tasmanian health professionals and patients have access to this state of the art building," Ms Courtney said.
There have been seven confirmed cases of coronavirus in Tasmania. Three of the first four cases have recovered.
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