
A teenager has tested positive to COVID after arriving in Launceston from Melbourne on Friday.
He travelled from Launceston Airport into quarantine at a family home where he underwent a routine COVID test which came back positive.
Virgin Australia flight VA 1364 which arrived in Launceston at 11.30am on Friday has been declared an exposure site and 10 passengers on the flight have been contacted.
Biosecurity and security staff at Launceston Airport have also been identified as close contacts and required to isolate.
The male teenager was wearing a mask from his arrival at Melbourne Airport until leaving Launceston Airport, and had complied with all health directives.
His family close contacts are also in quarantine.
Director of Public Health Mark Veitch said the risk to the community was considered low.
"The risk to other persons at Launceston Airport at the same time as the case is low," Dr Veitch said.
"However, in keeping with the cautious approach being taken, the airport arrival hall including baggage pickup, has been declared an exposure site between 11.30am and 12.30pm on Friday, 1 October.
"People in the arrival hall between 11.30am and 12.30pm on Friday, 1 October, are casual contacts and should immediately isolate where they are and contact the Public Health Hotline on 1 800 671 738 after 8am on Sunday 3 October."
The last case of COVID that technically entered Tasmania was when a man from NSW arrived at Launceston Airport in August and was taken to hotel quarantine, only to leave the state afterwards.
There have been no cases of COVID in the community since May last year.
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