Coronavirus Gold Coast: Voco hotel in Surfers Paradise guarded by army, police

The army has been spotted outside a Gold Coast highrise.

A GOLD Coast hotel is being used to quarantine new arrivals flying into Brisbane, with at least 20 already calling a Surfers Paradise tower home.

As per new strict coronavirus protection measures by the Federal Government, all new international arrivals have been moved into forced quarantine at a number of hotels including the Gold Coast’s Voco for 14 days to reduce the spread.

The Voco is an overflow hotel for international arrivals into ­­Brisbane.

Australian Army soldiers outside Voco. Picture: Glenn Hampson.

Flanked by Australian Army officers, the group were transferred to Voco on Tuesday night, with more expected to arrive in coming days, the Bulletin understands. Those 20 are thought to have come via Qatar.

Staff confirmed the presence of the quarantined group but were unable to comment further.

The Bulletin has been told more international arrivals are expected at Voco, but how many and when is unknown as the number returning to the state has become harder to identify in advance.

The Army rolled into Surfers Paradise to stand guard outside the Voco Hotel, where passengers from overseas are in quarantine. Picture Glenn Hampson.

The Australian Defence Force has been seen on site, assisting Queensland Police with quarantine of passengers. It is understood the new arrivals are restricted to rooms, outside of essential, supervised exercise.

A high-ranking health officer told the Bulletin more than one hotel will be used to manage coronavirus quarantine on the Gold Coast.

There are also contingency measures in place to expand, should there be a need for more isolation measures.