Returnees secure move from ‘putrid’ quarantine hotel
Families are demanding to be moved from one of the state’s trouble-plagued quarantine hotels, following allegations one woman had discovered a bedbug infestation.
Coronavirus
Don't miss out on the headlines from Coronavirus. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Allegations of a bed bug infestation at one of the state government’s hotel quarantine sites have been defended as “part and parcel” of the hospitality industry.
It comes as the Herald Sun has been told complaints about a bed bug infestation at the hotel were raised with officials as early as April.
A returned traveller who claimed her room at Carlton’s Rydges on Swanston was infested with the bugs was on Monday transferred to another hotel to complete her quarantine.
An investigation has been launched into the source of the bugs.
Chief health officer Brett Sutton said bed bugs were a risk in hotels all over the world, and were often transported in luggage.
“They are picked up internationally, frequently if people leave their luggage open then bed bugs get on clothes, and they survive very easily,” Professor Sutton said.
“Bed bugs are part and parcel of the hospitality industry,” he said.
“It’s not the fault of hotels at all necessarily.”
The Herald Sun revealed on Monday that families are demanding to be moved from the accommodation, which has been described as “putrid”.
Rosie, who didn’t want her surname published, on Sunday successfully negotiated a transfer from Carlton’s Rydges on Swanston after alleging she had found a bedbug infestation.
The mother of three returned to Melbourne from the US and said she was shocked by the state of the hotel.
Rosie said she had ordered her kids not to touch anything before attempting to clean her hotel room.
“It was just disgusting,” she said. “I was horrified to find things had not been wiped down and surfaces had clearly not been cleaned in some time.
“This contradicts all the instructions issued by the government and we feel we are at risk here.
“I woke in the night covered in bites from bedbugs and turned on the light to find two dozen moving bugs through my sheets and pillow.”
Rosie claimed another bed in the room was also infested.
She said she was aware of other complaints to management, with at least one other family demanding a transfer.
Opposition health spokeswoman Georgie Crozier said the hotel should be shut down pending an investigation.
A government spokesperson said a DHHS investigation was underway to determine the source of the insects, including whether they transferred through luggage.
The hotel had been empty until Friday following an outbreak at the hotel and had undergone a deep clean.
“We know how infectious coronavirus is and we have strict measures in place to manage positive cases and control outbreaks,” she said.
“Following the outbreak at Rydges on Swanston the hotel was emptied on 1 June and underwent a deep clean of every room and common area in line with the Chief Health Officer Guidelines for coronavirus cleaning procedures.
“The department is working with all returned travellers to make them as comfortable as possible and assist with anything they made need during their time in quarantine.”
ANDREWS THREATENS TIGHTER CONDITIONS
WHAT SPARK MELBOURNE’S BIG FAMILY CLUSTER
Originally published as Returnees secure move from ‘putrid’ quarantine hotel