Tasmania not to impose mandatory coronavirus tests on Victorian arrivals

The Western Australian Government last week introduced a rule for Victorian people to be tested on arrival at the airport in addition to a requirement they be tested on day 11 of their quarantine period.

The South Australian Government on Sunday introduced a rule which required people entering the state from Victoria to get a test within 24 hours of arrival and again on day 12 in quarantine.

Labor leader Rebecca White said the same rules should be introduced in Tasmania.

"Tasmanians are very concerned about the disturbing situation that continues to unfold with the second wave of COVID-19 in Victoria," she said. "People quite rightly expect the government to take every step possible to protect the health and safety of Tasmanians.

"There is no logical argument the Tasmanian government can make for why they are not implementing the same requirement."

A state government spokesperson said the government would take advice on testing from Public Health rather than the Labor Party.

"We have strong border measures in place and we'll continue to follow public health advice to keep Tasmanians safe," they said.

Latest government figures show there have been 55,850 coronavirus tests taken in Tasmania this year.

There have been 1265 essential traveller applications approved by the State Control Centre since Tasmania's borders were closed.

What do you think? Send us a letter to the editor: