'We can save lives': Tasmania’s isolated north-west succumbs to Australia’s strictest coronavirus rules

Thousands have been locked down and two hospitals in Burnie closed to stamp out ‘a city virus’ that has brought a regional community to its knees

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On Sunday afternoon, more than 1,000 healthcare workers in north-west Tasmania received a text message warning they would be told to self-isolate, and to watch a press conference given by premier Peter Gutwein for more information.

The press conference began at 4pm. Gutwein announced the immediate closure of two hospitals in Burnie – the North West Regional hospital and North West Private – due to an outbreak of coronavirus among hospital staff. Anyone who had worked at either hospital from 27 March onwards was told to go into mandatory self-isolation from 7pm that night. The order included their families or anyone sharing a house.

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