Greater Brisbane moves from high risk to medium risk in Tasmania

Premier Peter Gutwein said only one new case of coronavirus had been reported in Queensland, with no cases of community transmission, and the high-risk rating of the Greater Brisbane area was now dropped to medium risk effective immediately.

He said the Queensland health authority were on track to lift its restrictions on Friday.

"Based on this news we are going to step down our risk rating from high risk to medium risk effective immediately," Mr Gutwein said.

"This means that effective immediately, travellers from Greater Brisbane will be able to travel to Tasmania, but will still be required to quarantine at a suitable residence or government designated accommodation at their own expense," he said.

"By this coming Friday though, I'd be hopeful that subject to the situation in Brisbane continuing its positive trend, we could move to low risk - meaning a return to unrestricted travel from the Greater Brisbane area - from the end of this week, but we will keep that under observation and will consider that as we move through the course of the week."

Mr Gutwein said mask wearing will be mandatory in Tasmanian airspace and at all Tasmanian airports terminals, including King and Flinders Island airports, from Friday January 22.

He said this included at airport check-in, retail spaces and outdoor spaces, such as where people wait for transport.

Masks will be provided on arrival at the airports.

"Public health directions will come into force requiring face masks to be worn on all commercial flights," he said.

"Those that have flown already will know that in many cases people are wearing masks on planes, in fact the vast majority are. This will be a practice that will be seen right across every airport terminal and flight, but for some Tasmanians it will be strange," he said.

"My message is that with the UK variant it is important that we understand that this is important, that it is an additional layer of safety, and for those Tasmanians that feel a little uncomfortable, it is just the way it is going to be moving forward."