COVID-19 Tasmania: resident cautioned after dodging home quarantine

Deputy State Controller Scott Tilyard said Public Health authorities had assessed the risk the man posed to the community as very low.

With Victoria classified as a high-risk area due to COVID-10 cases, travellers are required to quarantine for 14 days after entering Tasmania.

READ MORE: Man drowns in Tamar River tragedy

However, Mr Tilyard said on returning to the state, the man indicated he had transited through Victoria and was therefore approved to return to Tasmania without quarantine requirements.

"It has since been established that he transited through metropolitan Melbourne to the airport, but had spent the weekend in regional Victoria," Mr Tilyard said.

"Had his Tas e-Travel application correctly stated that he had spent time in regional Victoria he would have been instructed to home quarantine for 14 days."

Upon returning to Tasmania the man attended his workplace on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Mr Tilyard said he was instructed to return home on Wednesday.

Public Health have not confirmed what region or town the man is from.

READ MORE: MS won't stop Michelle sitting up for a cause close to her heart

He has now been directed to home quarantine for 14 days, backdated to Monday, and has had his first COVID-19 test, as required of all returned travellers from high-risk areas.

The result has not yet returned.

Mr Tilyard said the man had not reported any symptoms and since returning to Tasmanian has had limited movements.

READ MORE: Perfect storm: one in two Tasmanian households in mortgage stress

"We are satisfied on the information he has provided that he spent his time in regional Victoria and only transited through greater Melbourne from and to the airport," he said.

"On the basis of the information provided, Public Health Services assesses the risk to the site and other workers as very low.

"Staff at his workplace can continue to attend the workplace and do not need to take any additional precautions or actions. Staff at the site do not need to be tested."

Mr Tilyard said while no breach of quarantine requirements was acceptable, Public Health authorities rated the risk of the man coming into contact with COVID-19 as low given his movements were limited to regional areas, where there had been no recent cases or exposure sites.

Employees, and all Tasmanians, are advised to monitor themselves for even mild COVID-19 symptoms and isolate and get a test if symptomatic.

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: