Tasmania's hotel quarantine will start receiving international arrivals from the United Kingdom on Sunday.
The plan, announced by acting premier Jeremy Rockliff, is part of the Tasmania's effort to help with the Afghanistan crisis, which will also see Tasmanian humanitarian groups receive $85,000 to help provide assistance.
Acting premier Jeremy Rockliff said up to 150 Australians arriving from the UK will be brought into Tasmania's hotel quarantine system, which will help free up quarantine space in other states and territories for incoming Afghani people.
Mr Rockliff said all travellers from the UK will be required to have a negative test before travelling, will receive several tests while in hotel quarantine, and must produce a final negative result before leaving.
"This crisis in Afghanistan has rightly shocked the world and deeply impacted Tasmanians who have had family and friends there, and our local Hazarian community. Tasmania has a role to play," Mr Rockliff said.
"Our dedicated international seasonal worker hotel will be utilised to take on returning Australians from the United Kingdom of around 150 people. This will free up hotel space in other jurisdictions for incoming Afghani people," he said.
"It is considered from a Covid perspective that those coming from the UK, due to higher vaccination rates, will be a lower risk than those coming from Kabul."
Mr Rockliff said Tasmania will need to be prepared for the potential risk of Covid coming in from a flight arriving into the state on Sunday.
"Public Health are working hard to have all the necessary arrangements and precautions in place."
Mr Rockliff said the state will also give $85,000 to service providers in Tasmania who are assisting with the humanitarian efforts relating to the Afghanistan crisis.
"Service providers ...have already been inundated with inquiries about support," he said.
The Migrant Resource Centre in the North and South, the Multicultural Council of Tasmania, and the Tasmanian Refugee Legal Service will all receive the funding.
