Woman allegedly scaled balconies in hotel quarantine escape

The young woman who scaled two balconies to escape hotel quarantine and visit her mum has been slapped with a $2500 fine and thrown back into quarantine.

A young Cairns woman who scaled two balconies to escape hotel quarantine and visit her mum has been slapped with a $2500 fine and thrown back into quarantine.

Dalassa Rittia Diane Pau, 22, was placed into the Pacific Hotel on Friday after returning from Sydney before police realised on Monday afternoon she was missing.

She was found at a unit in Cairns.

While police say Queensland Health believe she poses “no heightened risk” to the Cairns community, they have been left fuming over the incident – the second of its kind within weeks.

Cairns quarantine escapee Dalassa Pau.

Pau appeared in the Cairns Magistrates Court on Tuesday morning and pleaded guilty to fail to comply with Covid-19 public health direction, unregulated high risk activities and wilful damage.

Police had alleged she had been staying on the fourth floor when she scaled two balconies and damaged a door during her escape.

Speaking outside court Far North Acting Assistant Commissioner Chris Hodgman said the woman’s actions were “dangerous (and) foolhardy”.

“This is the second time in a couple of weeks where people have put their lives at risk to come out of the Pacific Hotel,” he said.

“For two persons to have done it is insurmountable, it beggars belief.”

He said Ms Pau had been “very open” with police about her movements after leaving the hotel, leading health authorities to not deem her a risk, telling them she had done it to visit her mother.

She was placed back into quarantine following her court appearance.

She was originally due to be there until July 14.

The woman was quarantining at the Cairns Pacific International Hotel.

Deputy Commissioner Gollschewski said the woman wanted to go home to her mother.

“Quarantine can be very difficult time for people, particularly if they’re by themselves,” he said.

“Nonetheless, it is a very strict control and the whole point of quarantine is not to mix with the community.”

He reminded people in home quarantine police would conduct random checks to ensure they have not left.