Aussie state offering vaccine prizes for 12 to 18-year-olds
One Australian state will be offering Apple products as prizes, as it kicks off a five-day vaccination blitz for people aged 12 to 18-years-old.
On Friday, Tasmanian Premier Peter Gutwein said those in the state aged 12 to 18-years-old would go into a draw to win an iPad, iPhone or an Apple Watch.
To be eligible, those in that demographic must have had either their first dose of a Covid jab, or be fully vaccinated against Covid-19 by November 24.
There will be 50 prizes to be won, including on the spot prizes which are "especially for young people who are vaccinated in the next five days at state-run clinics".
The state government is hoping to have 90 per cent of the population aged over 12 fully vaccinated by December 15, when Tasmania opens to travellers who are fully vaccinated.
About 84 per cent of Tasmanians aged over 16 are currently fully vaccinated, with 92 per cent had one dose and about 50 per cent of children aged 12 to 15 are now fully vaccinated in the state.
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However, Mr Gutwein said the overall vaccination rate for Tasmania has been slowing and it may only just reach the 90 per cent target.
"We've had many conversations about what we can do to pick the vaccination rate up," he said.
"Where I don't want to be on December the 16th is looking back and saying, 'Gee, I wish that we had done a little bit more'."
Tasmania to ease travel restrictions
When Tasmania eases border restrictions on December 15, anyone in Australia who is fully vaccinated will be able to enter the state.
In addition to having both doses of a Covid vaccine, travellers will also have to have a negative Covid test in the 72 hours before arriving.
However, people travelling to the island state from low-risk areas will be exempt.
Travellers from NSW, the ACT, Victoria and hotspot areas in Queensland and the Northern Territory are currently barred from entering Tasmania.
Tasmanians will also be able to enjoy relaxed restrictions from December 6.
Mr Gutwein announced there would be no restrictions on the number of people allowed at a venue, given all patrons are fully vaccinated.
"So, this means that if you're at an event, from the 6th of December, with an approved limit of 5,000 people, 5,000 people will be able to stand up and drink or dance, as long as every patron is fully vaccinated," he said.
Staff at venues where there is dancing will have until December 15 to be fully vaccinated.
"This won't apply to restaurants, or pubs, where there is no dancing and it's predominantly a restaurant-type environment where there is little movement, people aren't standing up at bars, they're not dancing," he added.
"So those exemptions will be provided."
He said Covid will "absolutely" end up in the state and added the "most important thing" Tasmanians can do is get vaccinated.
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