With borders closed to three major cities on the east coast, Launceston Airport is expecting a reduction in flight arrivals in the coming days, but a recent influx of travellers escaping the mainland has seen the state's quarantine facilities face mounting pressure.
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At a press conference on Friday, questions were raised about security measures at Launceston Airport after a Sydney man tested positive for COVID-19.
Premier Peter Gutwein said the protocols allowed the man to be identified by biosecurity officers and placed in hotel quarantine.
READ MORE: Tasmania sends Victorians back to mainland
Mr Gutwin said the Sydney man was only placed in Hotel quarantine as there were no available flights back to NSW for two days.
A Launceston Airport spokeswoman said the Sydney man did not cause any specific flight cancellations with scheduled flights going ahead. However, flights were being cancelled in response to various lockdowns around the country.
She said, an AFL charter flight and a Qantaslink flight scheduled for Sunday had been cancelled after the weekend's AFL match was moved to the MCG, and a Melbourne to Launceston return flight operated by Jetstar starting August, 13, would now be reviewed.
With 330 people currently in hotel quarantine and 630 in-home isolation, Mr Gutwein said the government was looking at available options to increase the state's ability to quarantine incoming travellers.
He said people from NSW leasing houses in Tasmania and paying to hotel quarantine was putting added pressure on the hotel system.
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Andrew Chounding
An experienced multi-platform journalist focusing on the issues that impact health in Tasmania. With a background in social research and public policy, health reporting for Andrew is about ensuring the best health outcomes for the Northern Tasmanian community. Contact Andrew at: andrew.chounding@examiner.com.au or 0437 358 262
An experienced multi-platform journalist focusing on the issues that impact health in Tasmania. With a background in social research and public policy, health reporting for Andrew is about ensuring the best health outcomes for the Northern Tasmanian community. Contact Andrew at: andrew.chounding@examiner.com.au or 0437 358 262
