New iso hotel to be third in Cairns
A THIRD Cairns CBD hotel quarantine facility is making preparations ahead of the arrival of returning expatriates and guests forced into government-mandated isolation.
Regular holiday-makers have been ousted from the Accor-operated Ibis Styles Cairns on Florence St to make way for the arrival of quarantine guests.
The three-star 75 room hotel joins already operating isolation facilities, including the Pacific Hotel on Spence St and the Holiday Inn Cairns Harbourside on Lake St.
According to online booking software all rooms at the hotel are unavailable.
Ibis Styles Cairns owner representative John Zeckendorf said the hotel had been chosen to provide specialist accommodation.
“(We have) been chosen by the government to provide a secure and safe location to protect our communities,” he said.
“We are proud to play a part in limiting the spread of Covid-19 by providing comfort, care and safety to repatriating guests, self-isolating guests, and guests under governmentmandated isolation.
“The hotel team are working with any impacted guests to ensure their experiences are upgraded at an alternative Accor location or refunded.”
Unvaccinated returning travellers to Queensland from overseas under a public health emergency mandated from January 1, must undergo 14 days isolation in governmentnominated accommodation.
Mr Zeckendorf said hotel staff were working closely with health authorities.
“Our teams are extensively trained in hygiene, sanitation, food safety and handling of hazardous materials to ensure they can protect themselves and guests,” he said.
A Queensland Heath spokesman said demand for quarantine accommodation has decreased since the state achieved 80 per cent vaccination rate and eased border restrictions.
“As of January 5, 53 hotel rooms in Cairns were being used for quarantine purposes, compared with around 90 one month ago,” he said.
“It’s important to note that Queensland will further ease entry restrictions for fully vaccinated international travellers once 90 per cent of the state’s population is fully vaccinated.”