Tasmania places quarantine on all mainland travellers

Tasmania will enforce 14-day quarantines for all non-essential travellers entering the state from the mainland.

The "toughest border measures in the country" were announced this morning by Premier Peter Gutwein.

The forced quarantine will include Tasmanians returning from out of state.

READ MORE: Coronavirus live updates: Qantas to stand down majority of staff, Italy records 475 deaths in a day

"We have today taken the next step in preparedness, declaring a state of emergency for Tasmania, and in response to COVID-19, we are introducing the toughest border restrictions in Australia," Mr Gutwein said in a statement.

"This is a tough, but necessary decision to flatten the curve, putting Tasmanians' health and wellbeing first."

A $16,800 fine has been introduced for those who breach the quarantine.

"The message is clear, and the penalties are severe for anyone who does not comply with the mandatory quarantine," the premier said.

"There is nothing more important than Tasmanians' safety, and while the economic impact will be significant, we have a chance now to slow the spread of COVID-19 in our state.

"This will provide Tasmanians with more certainty, help us to recover more quickly and make our state safer."

Health care and emergency workers, defence personnel, air and ship crew, specialists and essential freight personnel will not be subject to the quarantine.

READ MORE: What does a Level Four travel ban mean for Australians?

"All passengers will be screened on arrival and must demonstrate they meet the essential traveller criteria," Mr Gutwein said.

"If they are deemed non-essential, they will be directed to quarantine themselves at their stated place of address. 

"Tasmania Police and Biosecurity Tasmania will ensure compliance with the quarantine measures, helping people to access support and follow up to ensure the process is adhered to."

GPS tracking is being considered to enforce the quarantine.

Residents on islands like King and Flinders will not need to self-quarantine if entering mainland Tasmania.

Tasmania closed its borders in 1919 to slow infection of the Spanish flu.

The Tasmanian death toll of 171 was on the lowest reported worldwide.

There are 10 active known cases of coronavirus in Tasmania, the least of any Australian state.

There are 258 active cases in New South Wales, 113 in Victoria, 86 in Queensland, and 34 each in both Western Australia and South Australia.

There are three active cases in the ACT and one in the Northern Territory.

Read more: What do mild coronavirus symptoms feel like?

Read more: How to wash your hands to prevent coronavirus

How is coronavirus transmitted?

The human coronavirus is only spread from someone infected with COVID-19 to another. This occurs through close contact with an infected person through contaminated droplets spread by coughing or sneezing, or by contact with contaminated hands or surfaces.

What are the symptoms of someone infected with coronavirus?

Coronavirus patients may experience flu like symptoms such as a fever, cough, runny nose, or shortness of breath. In more severe cases, infection can cause pneumonia with severe acute respiratory distress.

What is the difference between COVID-19 and the flu?

The symptoms of COVID-19 and the flu are very similar, as they both can cause fever and respiratory issues.

Both infections are also transmitted the same way, via coughing or sneezing, or by contact with hands, surfaces or objects contaminated with the virus.

The speed of transmission and the severity of the infection are the key differences between COVID-19 and the flu.

The time from infection to the appearance of symptoms is typically shorter with the flu. However, there are higher proportions of severe and critical COVID-19 infections.