Pandemic measures ramp up
HOTELS will serve as coronavirus quarantine hot spots for new arrivals to Australia, as the army is deployed to keep those isolating at home – under new measures introduced by the Federal Government.
The news comes as a number of Gold Coast health workers and educators raise their concerns about social isolation compliance.
In a decision by the National Cabinet, as of midnight tonight international travellers into Australia will be required to quarantine in a hotel where the international flight lands, for 14 days.
Currently provisions are under way to establish the quarantine spaces in Brisbane, but hotels in the Gold Coast are also on the cards – if the city sees more international arrivals. The state also introduced 14-day isolation measures for non-exempt domestic travellers into Queensland, in order to stem the spread across the Coast.
The news comes as local coronavirus cases on the Gold Coast breach 100, with a further 15 cases confirmed as of yesterday. There are now a total of 106 positive infections in the city, a jump of 1666 per cent since March 1.
According to the latest update released by the Department of Health last night, 555 cases have been confirmed in the state – a jump of 62 new cases in a 24-hour period, the steepest yet.
Despite the growing figures Health Minister Steven Miles said more than 80 per cent of the cases can be attributed to passengers from overseas.
“What that tells us is our social distancing measures are working,” he said.
Chief Health Officer Jeanette Young said anyone flying into Queensland or driving through the borders will be asked to go into 14 days quarantine. “Those systems are all being organised as we speak, that will be in place by midnight Saturday night,” Dr Young said. “We already have arrangements with hotels. We know that works because we have tested them, we are very comfortable we have that under control and are just working that through.
“We are not seeing flights coming into the Gold Coast or to Cairns, if that were to happen we will manage that.”
Dr Young said the spike in NSW cases was the reason behind heavier domestic border restrictions.
“The vast majority of cases have been related to people coming into the border that is why we have those domestic arrangements, to keep them tightly under control.”
“Queensland will be keeping anyone who comes through the border to the state for 14 days. This will keep up all of our communities safe as we go through.”
Locals say the decision to mobilise the military to ensure quarantine of new arrivals or known cases would be beneficial.
Despite fines of up to $13,345, health workers who spoke to the Bulletin said they were aware of a number of instances where residents have failed to comply with quarantine orders.
“I have been told about cases where people arrive back from Bali and think they can go shopping or out to the park to see friends,” he said.
“People are making complaints, and it is only a few isolated incidents but it is happening.”
A Gold Coast doctor who works at the University Hospital said businesses were also failing to comply with social distancing orders.
He was aware of at least two legal firms on the Gold Coast that still required employees to work in the office, despite capabilities to work from home.