Tasmania to consider opening borders to some states before the end of October

The Tasmanian Government will consider bringing forward the date for easing coronavirus border restrictions to the end of October.

Premier Peter Gutwein said travellers from WA, SA, QLD the NT, ACT and possibly NSW may be able to enter the state, if approved by the State Controller, earlier than December 1 — the previous date the Tasmanian Government had been sticking to.

"We are not declaring that we will open early [but] I think there is a good chance we would be able to open towards the end of the month [of October]," he said.

"Obviously the circumstances of each of those jurisdictions will be what will inform our decision, as well as our health preparedness, our aged care preparedness as well.

Mr Gutwein said he expected to have advice from the state controller on re-opening the border "over coming weeks."

Mr Gutwein also said Tasmania wasn't in a position to receive flights including Australians returning from overseas because it didn't have an international airport.

He said his Government would make a financial contribution to flights into other states and, if required, would work with the Commonwealth on "bespoke options" such as emergency charter flights into Tasmania.

Mr Gutwein also announced crowd capacity at outdoor venues such as sporting grounds would increase from 500 to 1000 from September 25, as long as COVID-19 safety plans were in place.

From next week, seasonal workers would also be allowed to enter the state under "COVID-safe conditions" to help on the state’s farms.

Tasmanian FIFO workers in low-risk jurisdictions would also be allowed to come home without having to quarantine.

That's welcome news for the Wickham family — since March, Clint Wickham has spent 97 days at work and 57 in quarantine.

The father of two young children works away in South Australia and trips home to Tasmania have meant quarantine.

"He's isolated at work and he's isolated when he comes home, it's no life for anyone," his wife Caitlyn Wickham said.

"It will be nice to have a normal life again, or somewhat of a normal life.

"We've got our fingers and toes crossed that this will go ahead and allow so many to come home and spend time with their family."

Public health chief urges more Tasmanians to get tested

Tasmania's public health department has reported a 10 per cent drop in testing in recent weeks, down from the average of 530 tests a day since May.

"We need to maintain the good levels of testing so we can be absolutely confident that COVID is not circulating in Tasmania," said the State's director of Public Health, Dr Mark Veitch.

"I can't tell you that there's no coronavirus in Tasmania today. I think its fairly unlikely, but I can't tell you for sure.

"But I know that if we keep up our testing and in two weeks time we haven't made any diagnoses, then I'll be confident."