Tasmania finally opens its borders to the mainland and New Zealand for the first time in seven months - but not everyone will be allowed an Apple Isle holiday
Tasmania will reopen to much of mainland Australia on Monday, with the island state's government insisting it is well prepared to handle any coronavirus cases.
The state was the first Australian jurisdiction to close its borders in March and hasn't recorded a case in more than 70 days.
It will open to Queensland, Western Australia, South Australia, the Northern Territory and the ACT - plus New Zealand.
All arrivals at airports and sea ports will be health screened and anyone with virus symptoms will be tested and ordered into quarantine until their result is known.
Tasmania is open from Monday to people from low-risk areas of the mainland. Pictured: an Eastern Grey Kangaroo on Maria Island
'While it's exiting to be able to see restrictions ease and life getting to a Covid-normal, we also need to remember there is always a risk of coronavirus in our community,' Health Minister Sarah Courtney said.
She said 'extensive work' had been put into the state's contact tracing systems and aged care preparedness.
Ms Courtney said social distancing and personal hygiene were critical in the weeks ahead.
'It's important that we continue this vigilance so our healthcare workers remain safe and we have capacity in our hospitals,' she said.
Tasmania has more than 200 ventilators and is planning to acquire another 100.
It remains closed to Victoria and is slated to open to NSW on November 2, with a firm call on that date to be made this week.
Pedestrians in Hobart on September 21. Tasmania's economy is reliant on tourism
The streets of Hobart last month. Tasmania is opening to most mainland states from Monday
Ms Courtney urged anyone with cold symptoms to get tested, with the daily testing rates around 400-500.
The Spirit of Tasmania Bass Strait ferry service, which leaves from Melbourne, will resume but only to people coming from the low-risk mainland states.
People arriving from the approved low-risk areas will complete the Tas e-Travel registration system, with travellers from medium and high-risk areas still required to complete a G2G PASS which can be found online.
Launceston Airport chief executive Hans van Pelt told The Mercury newspaper that if the airport is busy with multiple flights departing or arriving at similar times, restrictions may be put on non-passengers entering the terminal.
Those in hotel quarantine from low-risk areas will also be free to leave on Monday.