Sunshine State COVID-19 hotel quarantine more robust than in other states – Qld Health

Queensland Health has defended the state’s hotel quarantine following reports of a case in a NSW worker, saying there’s one major difference that make our system more robust.

Queensland Health has affirmed the state has a robust hotel quarantine system which it continues to review and improve amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

It comes as other states have recorded cases where hotel quarantine workers have tested positive including in New South Wales this week.

A Queensland Health spokeswoman said unlike other states, Queensland Health routinely moved positive COVID-19 patients to hospitals rather than treating them in hotels.

“While this lowers the risk for Queensland, we do have robust measures in place to prevent transmission in hotel quarantine which we continue to review and improve,” she said.

“We also have strong infection control measures in place, including local training and regular testing of health workers in all our quarantine facilities.”

The spokeswoman said Queensland supported and could accommodate international arrivals approved by the Federal Government.

“In fact, we welcome 1,300 of federally approved international arrivals into our state each week – as agreed by national cabinet,” she said.

“Queensland has remained agile in the face of COVID-19, and the Queensland Government has worked closely with quarantine hotels to ensure the health and safety of hotel staff and the people quarantining in them.”