Coronavirus outbreak linked to state’s hotels, inquiry hears

AN inquiry into Victoria’s bungled hotel quarantine program will probe the possibility every coronavirus case currently in circulation can be linked to the trouble-plagued operation.

The first public hearing of the inquiry on Monday was told of the possibility all current cases of coronavirus could be linked to outbreaks from hotels.

“Information already available to the inquiry suggests the possibility of a link between many of the cases of coronavirus identified in the Victorian community in the past few weeks, and persons who were quarantined under the hotel quarantine program,” counsel assisting Tony Neal, QC, said.

“Comments made by the chief health officer to the media have suggested that it might even be that every case of COVID-19 in Victoria in recent weeks, could be sourced to the hotel quarantine program.”

Key decision makers responsible for the program will be called to testify with Justice

Jennifer Coate saying she expected “no less than full, frank and timely co-operation from all government entities and persons to enable me to do my job for the people of Victoria”.

Exactly who will be called remains a mystery as the inquiry now continues gathering evidence ahead of the next scheduled public hearing on August 6 when the first witness is expected.

The $3m inquiry was launched to probe serious failings of the quarantine program that is believed to have caused Victoria’s second wave.