Covid Qld: Home quarantine to be monitored by text message to ensure compliance

Queenslanders in home quarantine will now be more closely monitored under strict new compliance measures that give them just 10 minutes to respond, thanks to new mobile technology being implemented by the state government.

Text messages will be used to enforce compliance during home quarantine in a new check-in system set to provide real-time monitoring under new measures brought into immediate effect.

Close contacts in home quarantine will have 10 minutes to respond to a text message with a hyperlink which sends their location to authorities and ensures they are complying with stay-at-home orders.

The daily text messages, sent at random times, is an expansion of home quarantine trials announced by Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk for returning students from border schools for the school holidays.

The check-in system, announced by Health Minister Yvette D’Ath, is for anyone going into home quarantine as a close contact in Queensland.

Ms D’Ath said it will allow authorities to identify if anyone is away from their registered residence more efficiently by using real-time monitoring technology and is part of the government’s commitment to adapt to the evolving delta-variant situation.

“Text messages, phone calls and random inspections for compliance have long been the hallmarks of our home quarantine system, but as the virus evolves, so must our response, Ms D’Ath said.

“Our improved home quarantine system will benefit the community through strengthened compliance and more effective monitoring of people’s welfare,” she said.

Potential breaches will be assessed by authorities and they will assess whether further action will be taken, including fines or directions to enter hotel quarantine at the person’s own expense.

Ms D’Ath urged community support during home quarantine as well as encouraging Queenslanders to get vaccinated and protect the lifestyle and freedoms currently enjoyed.