Tasmania will introduce additional border measures in response to a new strain of COVID-19 discovered in South Africa.
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The Omicrom variant has since been identified as a variant of concern by the World Health Organisation.
Today, federal Health Minister Greg Hunt announced Australia would suspend flights from nine southern African countries and close its borders to any foreign nationals who have been in the region.
Tasmania's Director of Public Health Mark Veitch said the Tasmanian border restrictions would be in addition to the national measures.
The additional measures would prevent entry to Tasmania for anyone who had been in South Africa, Botswana, Lesotho, Eswatini, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Mozambique, Malawi or the Seychelles until they had completed 14 days of quarantine and mandatory testing in the mainland state where they arrived.
Dr Veitch said Public Health had only identified one person in Tasmania who had recently been in any of the southern African countries.
He said the person remained in quarantine and had so far tested negative to COVID-19, with further testing to be undertaken.
Dr Veitch said although it was too early to fully understand the transmissibility, severity of illness and effectiveness of current vaccines and treatments for the new variant, it was important to have precautionary measures in place while urgent investigations proceeded.
"Indications of the rapid spread of the new variant in South Africa are a particular concern," he said.
"The emergence of new variants highlights the ongoing risk that COVID-19 poses globally."
Public Health has reminded Tasmanians to continue to follow key behaviours:
- Ensuring you are fully vaccinated when eligible;
- Getting tested if you experience any cold or flu symptoms;
- Staying home if sick;
- Washing and sanitising hands regularly;
- Using the Check in Tas app.
- Physical distancing when possible;
- Complying with current directions or restrictions.
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