The Tasmanian Government has declared a public health emergency in the state due to coronavirus, which gives powers to the director of public health to quarantine, isolate or evacuate people.

Key points: Tasmania has declared a public health emergency, but not a state of emergency

Tasmania has declared a public health emergency, but not a state of emergency The order follows a similar move from the ACT, while Victoria has declared a state of emergency

The order follows a similar move from the ACT, while Victoria has declared a state of emergency Tasmania's Government has also accepted "practical completion" of the Royal Hobart Hospital redevelopment, in a move that could ease pressure on the facility

The order was issued on Tuesday at about midday by the director of public health.

The Premier Peter Gutwein said the new powers could be used to force people to comply, but the State Government was focusing on supporting Tasmanians.

"[The order] includes the power for the director of public health to make decisions to manage an imminent threat to Tasmanians," Mr Gutwein said.

"He can direct people to be quarantined or isolated or evacuated from an area.

"It permits the power to direct or prohibit people from accessing an area and the control of movement of vehicles."

Orders could also be made to require a person to undergo a clinical assessment, remove people from an area, and take any action required to manage the threat coronavirus poses to public health.

Mr Gutwein said a state of emergency would not be declared at this stage, and that the State Government was acting in a "swift and calm way".

"What this is, is a gradual and steady increase in the proportional way that we are dealing with this," he said.

The acting director of public health Dr Scott McKeown said additional powers were needed now.

"[We need] to ensure the implementation of evidence-based public health activities in Tasmania that are proportionate and scalable, to protect people in Tasmania and control local transmission of the disease," he said.

"These powers will allow the director to implement public health measures to help slow the spread of coronavirus in Tasmania when it inevitably occurs, and protect people most vulnerable to severe disease.

"This will help reduce the demand on our health care system."

Dr McKeown said the powers would be used initially to ban mass gatherings and to require people arriving in Tasmania after overseas travel to self-quarantine for 14 days.

The ACT has also declared a public health emergency, while Victoria declared a state of emergency.

Government takes possession of RHH redevelopment

Health Minister Sarah Courtney said the State Government had this morning approved "the acceptance of practical completion" of the Royal Hobart Hospital (RHH) redevelopment, known as K-Block.

Until today, the State Government had refused to take possession of the building, after some water quality tests returned positive results for lead.

The K-Block is part of the $689-million redevelopment of the RHH.

With 44 extra beds, the building has been seen as key to helping ease capacity pressures at the RHH.

Today, Ms Courtney said the issues with air conditioning and water quality were still being worked on.

"The project team has determined that the outstanding water and noise issues that there are can be addressed during operational commissioning," she said.

Ms Courtney said the ongoing works to eliminate air conditioning and water quality problems would cause "minimal or no disruption".

She said staff and workers will be given drinking water during the process.

"We are hoping to be able to see patients and staff in there as soon as possible," she said.



Seven people in Tasmania have so far tested positive to coronavirus.