Tasmanian border restrictions prevent Canberra man from attending father's funeral

Mathew Kenna wanted to say goodbye to his dad, Robert Kenna, who died of a heart attack last week.

But as he was about to board a plane in Canberra on Sunday he received news his application for an exemption from quarantine based on compassionate grounds had been rejected.

Mr Kenna hoped he may be considered an essential traveller, with those needing to travel to visit a terminally ill family member listed as one of the potential exemptions within the state's new guidelines for incoming visitors.

However, this was not the case.

"When I was told my application was rejected, I went through a range of emotions, from absolute sadness, to anger and then to a lack of understanding," he said.

"I was already in self-isolation in Canberra due to being on bereavement leave, the only time I was out was the few hours I travelled from Canberra to Launceston, I consider myself extremely low risk and would have taken all the precautions.

"They have given me zero options, they have just said no and not allowed me the opportunity to say goodbye to my Dad.

"When you say there are exemptions for compassionate reasons it needs to be clearly articulated."

Mr Kenna booked the trip prior to the Tasmanian Government announcing its border restrictions, and was then unable to change his flight to make it into the state before the mandatory isolation periods were put in place.

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When he contacted the Tasmanian Government hotline on Friday, Mr Kenna said the form for compassionate exemption was not available.

It was not until Saturday, a day before he was due to fly, that he was able to access the form.

But ultimately, he did not receive the final answer until he was already at the airport.

A letter from the Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment acting secretary Tim Baker was emailed to Mr Kenna, which stated his application for compassion-based exemption could not be approved.

"You must observe a mandatory 14-day quarantine condition if you chose to travel to Tasmania," Mr Baker wrote.

"Thank you for your cooperation with these conditions, which may be subject to legal enforcement if breached."

His daughter and ex-wife were also told they were unable to attend the funeral, which was held at Kings Meadows on Tuesday morning.

"I reached out to various departmental contacts to have this reviewed and overturned to no avail, I am absolutely broken," Mr Kenna said.

Finney Funeral Services was able to offer a live stream, which Mr Kenna said was a "small consolation".

Managing director of the funeral home, Mark Graham, said it was an "incredibly sad situation".

"This was a man who was part of our community, who had a business and was a well-known and respected leader in the business community, this funeral in normal circumstances would have been attended by the masses," he said.

"We have a situation where not only people from the community have not been able to attend due to the changes, but also family members have not been able to, it's an incredibly sad situation and my heart goes out to Mat and the entire Kenna family.

"It is an example of the extreme measures the government have had to go to, it is a really difficult situation."

While it was expected the border changes would impact funeral services across the country, Mr Graham said this was the first time he had seen a family member refused due to the interstate travel requirements, but he did not expect it to be the last.

"I am sure this will happen to families across Australia, but let's hope there aren't too many more of these cases," he said.

"A funeral is so important in the grieving process, we have been communicating with our families about the option of having a memorial service at a later date."

The Tasmanian border restrictions came after Premier Peter Gutwein declared a state of emergency on Friday.

The government announced there would be a number of exemptions, including those considered to be essential travellers - health workers, emergency services, freight services, and industry specialists.

The guidelines also stated assessments could be made on "an individual basis via application" on compassionate or medical grounds, or "other reasons considered on individual merit".

Mr Gutwein confirmed on Tuesday afternoon funerals "do not meet the definition of essential travel requirements".

"Applications to attend funerals from interstate and avoid the 14-day self-isolation period are not being approved," he said.

"The decisions I've had to make this week are some of the most difficult I've ever had to make, however, the safety and wellbeing of all Tasmanians must be at the forefront of decision making in the current climate."

Had he known funerals were not part of the compassionate exemptions, Mr Kenna said he would have found a way to get to Tasmania "at any cost" before the borders closed.

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