Tasmanian fly-in fly-out workers returning from interstate must go into quarantine for the time they are home but one Launceston woman says they should be exempt.
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Stephanie Marshall said her husband works seven days in a South Australian mine before returning home to Launceston to spend time with her and his daughter from a prior relationship.
She said he picked up his daughter from Ridgely each weekend he was home.
"It will be detrimental and cause extreme hardship if he is isolated over and over again, week after week and is unable to see his daughter, his only child," Mrs Marshall said.
"As this could continue for some time he will have to self-isolate every single time he is home from work and this is just not doable.
Coronavirus: All the latest updates on COVID-19 for Tasmania
"This could continue for months ... this will send my husband and other families off the deep end."
Mrs Marshall said she understood quarantine was needed but FIFO workers needed support and exemption as they would be quarantined continuously when home.
A Tasmanian resident FIFO worker returning from working interstate will have to go into quarantine for the period that they are back home, or the minimum 14 days, whichever comes first.
She said the only information she had received about quarantine measures was through the media and she hoped FIFO workers would be given an exemption.
People who are exempt from quarantine include active military personnel, MPs, health, transport and freight specialists, flight and ship crews, paramedics and ambulance officers.
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The Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment guidelines said there were circumstances in which an exemption may be given but each case would be assessed individually.
It will only be granted if quarantine causes "unusual, undeserved or disproportionate hardship" and it will only be given for a short time or specific purpose.
Meaning FIFO workers may have to continuously apply for exemption on each return.
People applying for an exemption must complete an application form online before arriving in the state.
If the application has not been approved by the time they arrive, they must begin their quarantine until it is.
Tasmania's quarantine guidelines
Director of Public Health Mark Veitch gave these directions for people entering Tasmania on/after March 20 who are required to quarantine for 14 days:
- Do not sleep in the same room as another person
- Monitor symptoms of fever, coughing, sore throat, muscular pains, shortness of breath or unexpected tiredness
- Cover your mouth when coughing or sneezing
- Use disposable tissues and dispose of them after use
- Wash your hands frequently and thoroughly with soap or an alcohol-based sanitizing chemical
- If symptoms show you should not leave your home, unless instructed by a doctor or a Public Health Hotline advisor to do so for the purpose of being tested or seeking treatment
- You may leave to obtain supplies such as food that can not be obtained online but you must remain 1.5 metres from another person
- The Secretary of DPIPWE may exempt a person on compassionate grounds from the requirements
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