Hotel quarantine CCTV missed COVID-positive man escaping room, man not cooperating

Public Health has so far identified 38 primary close contacts - including 13 police officers - and 12 casual contacts. Of those, 32 are in quarantine and five negative tests have been recorded.

Two students at East Derwent Primary School were determined as close contacts and have tested negative.

The 31-year-old man - who arrived at Hobart Airport from Melbourne at 8.30pm on Monday without a G2G PASS but was reported missing from his room on Tuesday - was also uncooperative after he was captured by police in Hobart's outer north at 4.45pm on Tuesday.

Premier Peter Gutwein provided a further update on an initial review of the case on Thursday morning, including gaps in the hotel quarantine system.

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He said there were "a couple of theories", but they would be detailed later once confirmed.

"CCTV at the Travelodge has been reviewed, and no recordings have been found identifying the man exiting the building," Mr Gutwein said.

"A review of the end-to-end security process is being undertaken, with a view to strengthening security measures at the Travelodge Hobart hotel, a review of CCTV coverage to identify any appropriate enhancements to this capability has already occurred.

"I'm advised that additional cameras are being installed today and as you would be aware the man is currently being monitored at the Fountainside COVID case management facility and is in a stable condition."

A photograph of the man being led from a police van while not wearing a mask was shared by media on Wednesday evening.

Mr Gutwein said the man was maskless due to him being uncooperative with police.

"This individual is not being cooperative, and in fact has been very difficult to deal with," he said.

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"The reason that he was not wearing a mask was that police, I think very sensibly, determined that it would not be in their best interest to have a physical altercation with the gentleman to force him to wear a mask.

"This individual is being particularly obstructive and difficult, and there are measures that are being put in place at the Fountainside to ensure that he is being appropriately managed in that facility."

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The man will remain in Tasmania for at least 14 days due to his positive COVID test and the inability to transport him back to Victoria as a result.

He was twice rejected for a G2G PASS before travelling to Tasmania, but was not immediately returned on Monday evening due to there being no flights until Tuesday, Mr Gutwein said.

He was fined over $3000 for breaching quarantine, and for arriving in Tasmania without a G2G PASS.

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