There is frustration around the uncertainty of the cost travellers will face for a mandatory COVID-19 test to enter Tasmania, a tourism industry leader says.
Tasmania's borders will open to fully vaccinated travellers from December 15 who have tested negative to a COVID-19 test within 72 hours before arriving.
Tasmanians will be exempt from the testing requirement if their trip away is less than seven days.
On Friday, Acting Public Health director Scott McKeown clarified testing would be accessed through the different testing mechanisms in different states.
"Different states have different rules for public testing," Dr McKeown said.
"And people can purchase private testing for a COVID test. Depending upon what state they come from, they'll need to seek a test from one of those sources."
Dr McKeown reiterated a PCR test would be required.
He said a public health text message confirming a negative test would be "quite sufficient evidence".
Dr McKeown said the requirement would be reviewed and could be lifted in the future.
We don't want people arriving into Tasmania not knowing what the deal is.
- Luke Martin
Tourism Industry Council of Tasmania chief executive Luke Martin said he didn't think the government had considered the logistics when it made the border announcements.
He said there had been an ongoing conversation with the state government and the industry to figure that out. Mr Martin said with the confusion there was risks of people arriving into Devonport and Hobart without a test.
"We don't want people arriving into Tasmania not knowing what the deal is."
Mr Martin said the tourism industry had accepted the public health orders.
"From an industry perspective, rules are rules.
"We will apply them and we have to be realistic about what that means."
Molly Appleton
Molly Appleton is a senior journalist at The Examiner, having formerly worked at The Advocate as a news and sports reporter. She brings a passion for storytelling and knowledge of Tasmania across the three major regions. For any story ideas contact her on 0448 184 160.
Molly Appleton is a senior journalist at The Examiner, having formerly worked at The Advocate as a news and sports reporter. She brings a passion for storytelling and knowledge of Tasmania across the three major regions. For any story ideas contact her on 0448 184 160.
