The announcement of a date for the reopening of Tasmania's borders has been welcomed by the tourism and business sectors.
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Premier Peter Gutwein announced on Friday the state's borders would reopen from July 24 but only if this was supported by public health advice.
"I don't care who is calling for it, whether it is a lobby group or the Prime Minister, if public health advice says we should keep borders closed, we will keep borders closed," Mr Gutwein said.
Mr Gutwein said over the next four weeks the reopening plan would be assessed weekly, with a formal review of the situation in Victoria to be undertaken in a fortnight.
"As the circumstances stand today, if we were opening up tomorrow we would not be opening up borders with Victoria tomorrow," he said.
The border control measures will include the introduction of an app already in use in Western Australia, which Mr Gutwein said would replace the current border form.
Mr Gutwein said the government would continue to liaise with airlines on opening up direct routes to states which were coronavirus free, and to provide a way to transit through the Tullamarine airport in Melbourne without risk to Tasmania should this be required.
Public Health director Mark Veitch said he understood many would be apprehensive about the prospect of the borders reopening but it was actually a time people could look forward to.
He noted, as the Premier had, Victoria was of considerable concern.
"[To reopen] we would want the situation with Victoria not to pose a risk to Tasmania. That will depend in part on the number of cases they are having and where they are occurring. It's a complex outbreak," Dr Veitch said.
Date decision praised
Following the announcement, Tourism Northern Tasmania chief executive Chris Griffin said the industry was looking forward to welcoming visitors back into the state.
"The big relief for hospitality and tourism businesses is knowing they have a date to work toward," Mr Griffin said.
"The impact the closed borders has on the human side of our industry has been immense, with many of our people struggling with underemployment, unemployment, and the challenge for business owners in keeping things afloat.
"All these stresses have had a flow-on effect to the broader community.
"We can all appreciate the one of the first waves of visitors back to our shores will be friends and family members seeking to reconnect with their Tasmanian loved ones. This will be followed by Australians keen to explore Tasmania on holiday and indulge in what our state has to offer."
West by North West chief executive Tom Wootton said the body would be eagerly awaiting the result of the review of Victoria's outbreak in two weeks' time.
"With that in mind, we're very excited to see interstate borders reopen, but will remain accepting and respectful of public health advice as a second wave would be catastrophic," Mr Wootton said.
Mr Wootton said the reopening of interstate borders should not stop Tasmanians from exploring their own backyard.
"We still have the place to ourselves for the next four weeks, but even beyond that there's plenty to explore and we can't wait to share these experiences with Tasmanians," he said.
Tourism Industry Council Tasmania chief executive Luke Martin said tourism operators would probably have the best night's sleep they have had in months because of the decision.
"With the certainty of a date, the industry will now be able to plan ahead with confidence and hopefully rebuild and look to employ some of the thousands of people who've lost their jobs in recent weeks," Mr Martin said.
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Tasmanian Chamber of Commerce and Industry chief executive Michael Bailey said the move would provide increased opportunities for interstate commerce and help build confidence back into the state's business sector.
"Tasmania is currently in the midst of a jobs crisis, and the decisions by the Premier this week will go a long way to getting people back into work," Mr Bailey said.
Labor finance spokesman David O'Byrne welcomed the date but said more could be done to save Tasmanian jobs.
"What we want to hear from the government is not just there are discussions going on with either New Zealand, South Australia, Western Australia or Queensland - we want to see tangible work done to ensure we can get those connections to those states that have suppressed the virus," Mr O'Byrne said.
"Given the Victorian situation, we know that it is fluid but we know there is work that could be done."
Greens health spokeswoman Rosalie Woodruff said the Premier's announcement was prudent and reasonable given the situation in Victoria was still evolving.
"We are comfortable for the proposal for the date, and checks and balances that are going to be put in place between now and then," Dr Woodruff said.
Assistant Minister for Regional Tourism and Tasmanian Liberal senator Jonathon Duniam said the decision was fantastic news for the tourism sector and the broader Tasmanian economy.
The announcement of the border plan comes on the same afternoon the state moved to Stage 3 of the relaxation of coronavirus restrictions which includes larger gatherings, a return to community sport and a reduction in the limits placed on business premises.