New hotel signed up to quarantine program despite shutdown

A new Melbourne hotel has been signed up to house returned travellers despite the program still being suspended.

A new Melbourne hotel has been signed up to house returned travellers as part of the state’s trouble quarantine program.

A new Melbourne hotel has been signed up to house returned travellers as part of the state’s trouble quarantine program.

COVID-19 Quarantine Victoria has struck a deal with the Novotel Melbourne Central and Ibis hotel to house travellers, despite the program still being suspended.

“The agreement follows an expression of interest which closed on 17 March for hotels interested to join the hotel accommodation program,” a spokesperson said.

“This EOI process is part of ongoing commercial and operational reviews of the hotels participating in the program.

“The hotel underwent a ventilation assessment prior to being selected and staff will be trained in infection prevention and control processes before any operations commence.”

From Wednesday, authorities will begin preparing the hotel as a quarantine facility, including training staff in protective equipment.

Onsite staff will also receive their first of two vaccination shots before quarantine at the hotel begins.

General public bookings were paused on Monday with guests already scheduled to stay at the hotel to be relocated.

Victoria stopped accepting international flights last month following multiple outbreaks at quarantine hotels, including the Holiday Inn Melbourne Airport, which forced the state into a snap five-day lockdown.

Acting premier James Merlino said last week that the government would not reinstate flights until after the results of two reviews were received.

“When we get to those final reports that will be the moment in which we will make some decisions about returning flights and returning to hotel quarantine,” he said.

“It’s not far away.”