Army vet tells of hotel quarantine hell on Gold Coast
Having suffered from PTSD-like symptoms in the past, this 65-year-old Australian military veteran feared how he’d cope in hotel quarantine. He’s revealed the “punitive” conditions he was forced to stay in on the Gold Coast, including going a week without stepping outside.
QLD News
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A 65-year-old Australian military veteran has told of how he was only allowed three 10 minute periods of exercise during his Gold Coast hotel isolation.
Having to fight almost daily just to be able to stretch his legs, the man, only wanting to be known as Rob, has told The Sunday Mail he at one point went seven days without being able to go outside.
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Having suffered from PTSD-like symptoms in the past, Rob returned to Queensland with a medical certificate that asked for his past experiences to be taken into consideration, which included the ability to have frequent exercise.
“Obviously staying for that longer period of time in an enclosed space, I was anxious and had my own concerns about my potential accommodation.”
However, following his arrival at Brisbane Airport, none of the present Police or ADF appeared to be interested in his paperwork. Instead he was forced onto a bus and told he was going to be taken to the Voco Hotel.
“Where in Brisbane is that?” Rob recalled asking the police sergeant.
Rob and the busload of new arrivals were told they were going to be driven 80-plus km to the Gold Coast to undertake quarantine in a small hotel room.
“You were basically shipped 80km away from your destination with no explanation why,” he added.
However, the most alarming revelation of Rob’s stay was how he had to fight for the ability to have physical outdoor exercise – and even that was lacklustre.
“I spent my time calling people who I thought could help me – and all that did was able to get me three 10 minute periods over the span of five days,” he said.
“Over one period of time I spent a week without going outside and getting fresh air.”
Though while Rob was able to outlast his stay, his real worry now is about those who would not have spoken up – or couldn’t speak up.
“I imagine if I didn’t say anything I would’ve spent those 14 days without going outside once.
“For those who have to stay in punitive conditions like that, who might not be the best mentally – that’s the real health risk.”
“I feel like Queensland Health is not running a healthy, consistent regime with quarantine – if correctional services was under those same conditions there’d be outrage.”