Anti-coronavirus measures restricting Tasmanians to launching boats only from their own council areas look set to effectively ban many residents from coastal fishing trips.
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Premier Peter Gutwein announced the move on Sunday, saying it was aimed at protecting coastal areas from infection.
"This is to prevent people unnecessarily travelling during Easter and over the school holiday period to our vulnerable coastal communities," Mr Gutwein said.
"These communities are particularly vulnerable with an older population and less services available and it would be difficult to control a potential virus spread which could endanger many, especially older, Tasmanians in these communities.
"From Wednesday, April 8 ,and effective until Monday, April 27, people will be restricted to launching their boat within their local municipality in which their primary residence is located."
That would appear to ban residents of several inland council areas without a sea border - including Kentish, Meander Valley, Northern Midlands and others - from recreational boat access to the sea.
Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party spokesperson Rebecca Byfield believed that might have been an unintended consequence of the government trying to stop the spread of the virus in a fast-moving environment.
"They may get it wrong; I don't think they're trying to disadvantage people, they're just trying to do the best they can in very difficult circumstances," Ms Byfield said.
"We've all got parents, we've all got elderly relatives that might be at risk and, at the end of the day, it's not just the elderly.
"The whole measures have been around trying to reduce people's movement in and out of small communities.
"The other thing we need to take into consideration is the health facilities in those rural areas are pretty limited ..."
Ms Byfield said she understood why people would be upset because they could not do things they normally would, but it was about looking at the bigger picture and trying to get through the pandemic.
Mr Gutwein said the government had a clear position.
"Unless you need to go out for work, essential supplies or medical reasons, to study if you can't do it from home or for exercise, stay home to save lives and remain at your primary place of residence," he said.
"Stay home, unless it is essential to go out.
" ...I ask everyone at this time to consider each other, consider our broader communities and follow the rules."