Quarantine escapee scales three storeys, spends 9 hours at large

A Queensland man will face court after allegedly escaping hotel quarantine in Tasmania via a third-storey balcony, spending hours in the community. LATEST >>

A MAN who allegedly escaped hotel quarantine in Launceston on Wednesday night has tested negative for Covid-19.

Director of Public Health Mark Veitch said as such, the man posed no infectious risk to the community.

Earlier, Premier Peter Gutwein has confirmed an unauthorised traveller has escaped hotel quarantine in the Tasmania’s north and has spent hours in the public.

According to the premier, the 37-year-old man arrived in Launceston on Wednesday before he was taken to the Peppers Seaport Hotel quarantine facility.

He said the man escaped overnight, scaling three storeys from his room, before spending nine hours in the public.

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He was found and taken into custody at 10am this morning.

It is understood the man has tested negative to coronavirus and had little contact with the greater public.

Mr Gutwein said the events were frustrating and people who commit such acts ‘should have the book thrown at them’.

Tasmania Police confirmed a 37-year-old Queensland man was charged after allegedly absconding hotel quarantine in Launceston.

“The man arrived in Tasmania yesterday on a flight from Sydney without approval from the Deputy State Controller and was directed into hotel quarantine at Peppers Seaport,” a police spokesperson said.

“Initial investigations suggest that the man left the hotel last night around midnight via a third floor balcony. When a physical check of his room was conducted this morning around 9am, the man was discovered to be missing. Police were able to quickly track down the man and he was arrested at a residence in Newnham around 10am.”

Premier Peter Gutwein. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

The man has been charged with one count of Fail to comply with Direction of an Emergency Management Worker and will appear in the Launceston Magistrates Court at 8pm tonight.

Information is the man had limited contact with members of the public. He has undergone a Covid-19 test and we are awaiting those results.

“Anyone who arrives in Tasmania from a high-risk area without prior approval is immediately directed to a government managed quarantine facility,” the spokesperson said.

“Upon receipt of a negative Covid-19 test, these travellers will then be directed to leave Tasmania. This approach is to ensure that potential Covid-19 cases were not being placed on flights or sailings.

“Tasmania Police do have a full-time presence at domestic hotel quarantine sites where unauthorised arrivals are housed across the state, including Peppers Seaport.”

With the borders opening on December 15, it is important to remember to check what restrictions remain on travel, if you are travelling, or expecting visitors, keep up to date with restriction through www.coronavirus.tas.gov.au

Originally published as Quarantine escapee scales three storeys, spends 9 hours at large