Tasmanians have been given an hour's notice to return home from South Australia.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The entire mainland state will be designated as high-risk from 4pm today, making it the third state to be blocked by Tasmania in the past week.
The announcement was made shortly after 3pm by Premier Peter Gutwein, hours after South Australia reported five new locally acquired cases.
South Australia will head into a seven-day lockdown from tonight.
Anyone who had arrived on or after July 8 from South Australia was required to check the list of high-risk premises, and immediately self-isolate and book a test.
Mr Gutwein said those who had returned since July 8 were required to wear a face mask for 14 days after their arrival in Tasmania.
Victoria and NSW remained high-risk as of Tuesday.
Mr Gutwein said the downward trend of the number of reported cases nationally was "encouraging", but there was still "considerable work to do".
Tasmania's borders to both states would remain closed as lockdowns continued, with Mr Gutwein confirming restrictions to Victoria would remain in place until at least Tuesday July 27.
Mr Gutwein said children who had been interstate were still required to avoid school, with learning from home resources available.
People aged 12 years and older were required to wear a mask in public.
"Our priority here continues to be on protecting the health and safety of Tasmanians," Mr Gutwein said.
Public Health director Dr Mark Veitch said the situation in South Australia was still being investigated, with the decision to close off the state made in the best interest of protecting Tasmania.
Almost 44 per cent of Tasmanians had now received one dose of a COVID-19 vaccination, with almost 19.5 per cent of Tasmanians fully vaccinated - equating to more than 86,000 people.
Mr Gutwein encouraged those working in the disability and aged care sectors to book their vaccination.
"There are appointments available right now across the state," he said.
It was understood more providers were taking part.
Health Department secretary Kathrine Morgan- Wicks said more than 274,000 vaccine doses had been administered across the state.
"Our forward clinic bookings are looking very strong," she said.
Ms Morgan-Wicks said appointments were available at all clinics across the state, including at the Launceston General Hospital and at new Pfizer clinics on the North West Coast.
What do you think? Send us a letter to the editor: