COVID-19 Tasmania: borders to close to Victoria from 2pm today

The announcement comes as Victoria prepares to go into a seven-day lockdown from midnight tonight, in response to a COVID-19 outbreak in the northern suburbs that has grown to 26 cases.

RELATED: Victoria going into fourth virus lockdown

Premier Peter Gutwein announced the heightened measures at noon Thursday, saying the entire state of Victoria would be classified as high risk to Tasmania.

"This means that after 2pm this afternoon, you cannot travel to Tasmania if you have spent time in Victoria ... unless you are approved as an essential traveller by the state controller," he said.

Mr Gutwein said any Tasmanian residents who are in Victoria at the moment, and apply for an essential traveller status, would be required to quarantine in a suitable premises on arrival for the next 14 days.

"If they don't have a suitable premises they will be required to quarantine in a government designated accommodation at their own cost," he said.

"Anyone who arrives before the declaration takes affect at 2pm today, will be allowed to enter Tasmania as long as they have not been in the Whittlesea local government area or any of the declared high risk premises in Victoria, that have been visited by COVID-19 cases."

IN OTHER NEWS:

Public Health director Dr Mark Veitch said any affected travellers will need to apply to the Deputy State Controller to enter the state after 2pm via the G2G PASS system.

"If allowed to enter they will be required to quarantine for 14 days and be tested in the first few days and last few days of this period," he said.

"Hotel quarantine fees may apply. Essential workers will have additional requirements."

Dr Veitch said authorities were continuing to monitor the situation in Victoria.

"The time that Victoria remains a high risk area will depend upon the evolving situation in that state," he said.

There are now a large number of premises deemed to be high risk in relation to the Victorian outbreak.

A full list can be found here.

Anyone who has recently been in Victoria is reminded to monitor this list to check if they have been at any of these premises.

If anyone currently in Tasmania has been at any of these high-risk premises at the specified dates and times, they should immediately self-isolate and contact the Public Health Hotline on 1800 671 738 to organise testing.

These people need to remain in isolation until advised by Public Health Services.

If you have any cold or flu symptoms, even mild, contact the Public Health Hotline on 1800 671 738 to arrange a test.

Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content: