Southern COVID-19 lockdown to end, but mask mandate to stay

Tasmanian Premier Peter Gutwein confirmed on Monday morning that Public Health had confidence it had prevented any further spread based on contact tracing and testing.

There were 1463 tests on Sunday and no further positive results had been returned. Of the almost 170 close contacts, just six were left to come back.

Current mask restrictions will remain, however.

They include anyone in the 12 council areas - south of, and including, Central Highlands, Glamorgan Spring Bay and Southern Midlands - having to wear masks both indoors and outdoors when away from their residence, apart from when driving alone or exercising vigorously.

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Anyone leaving the council areas and heading north will need to wear a mask.

The announcement means restaurants and pubs in the South can reopen, but attendees must wear masks except when eating or drinking. One person per two-square-metres restrictions for venues will return.

Public Health will provide an update on Friday morning to confirm if the mask mandate would end that evening, based on continued testing and contact tracing.

Mr Gutwein said the high testing levels and no further cases were pleasing.

"We're on top of this," he said.

"As of tonight, at 6pm as per the plan, the lockdown will be lifted.

"Importantly, the testing numbers continue to be high.

"We are effectively snapping back, apart from there will be a need to wear masks until 6pm on Friday."

Mr Gutwein said the state's reopening plan was set to be released later this week, which would outline how the state would handle borders reopening and any restrictions for further outbreaks.