Cruel proof Australia has ‘lost the plot’ over Covid-19 and quarantine

Some Olympians are staring at the “cruel and uncaring” prospect of 28 days in quarantine, and nobody in Australia can understand why.

The Australian Olympic Committee has slammed the South Australian government’s decision to force returning Olympians to quarantine at home for an extra 14 days.

Many of Australia’s athletes are quarantining at different hotels and facilities across the country, but for those wanting to return home to South Australia, they will have to do it all over again once they finish their initial quarantine period.

Sixteen athletes from South Australia are completing their initial 14-day hotel quarantine in Sydney after flying back to NSW from Tokyo. The state government’s proposal would then see them quarantine for a further 14 days when they go from Sydney to South Australia.

This 28-day quarantine would be enforced despite all the athletes being fully vaccinated.

AOC CEO Matt Carroll says the decision from the SA government goes completely against the expert medical advice from the Australian Institute of Sport’s chief medical officer, Dr David Hughes, and puts athletes’ mental health at risk.

“While other countries are celebrating the return of their athletes, we are subjecting ours to the most cruel and uncaring treatment. They are being punished for proudly representing their country with distinction at the Olympic Games,” Carroll said.

Carroll labelled the SA government’s decision to force Olympians into extra quarantine as ‘cruel and unfair’. Picture: Josh Woning

“We are all promoting the obvious benefits of vaccination, but this important layer of protection is not working in favour of these athletes, given this decision. By any measure, this group of returning Olympians is extremely low risk.

“Not only are our Olympians fully vaccinated, but they have also been living in a highly controlled bubble in Tokyo, taking the upmost precautions – tested daily over many weeks.”

Plenty of others have also slammed the decision. Channel 7 athletics commentator David Culbert was one of many who pointed out the double standards that provided AFL players with exemptions to keep playing.

“Such a shame the South Australian Olympians aren’t AFL players. All would be OK then,” Culbert tweeted.

“We have lost the plot as a nation.”

Sports reporter Vince Rugari wrote: “This is crazy. Absolutely crazy. These athletes would have been tested every 10 minutes in Tokyo.”

Should Olympian Bel White be required to complete another 14 days in isolation by @sagovau, she will have spent 87 days away from her loved ones

We fully support the @AUSOlympicTeam's stance on this posing a significant mental health risk

🗞️| https://t.co/OUaLxwOo5Spic.twitter.com/3otFj2dHxK

— Softball Australia (@SoftballOz) August 11, 2021

What the South Australian government is doing to our Olympians is bordering on criminal. 28 day quarantine is madness. #Olympics@AUSOlympicTeam

— Peter Psaltis (@peterp79) August 11, 2021

The AOC had followed the SA Health Department’s Exemption process, but Carroll was none the wiser as to the reasoning behind the SA government’s decision to reject their applications.

“We have received no explanation as to why our application on behalf of these athletes has been rejected,” Carroll said.

“If you run an exemption process, presumably that includes the prospect than exemptions can be granted based on scientific advice.

“We have received no response related to the expert advice we have provided.

Dr Hughes was worried about the impact the extra period of quarantine would have on the returning athletes’ mental health.

Swimmer Kyle Chalmers is one Olympian who hails from South Australia. Picture: Tom Pennington / Getty Images

“To have individuals quarantined for such a lengthy period of time is in my opinion unreasonable and cannot be scientifically justified,” Hughes said.

“It poses a significant risk to the physical and mental wellbeing of the individuals concerned.

“National Cabinet took a position that a double quarantine arrangement was unacceptable. Every Covid-safe procedure we have asked the Olympians to undergo, they have complied with.

“They can safely transfer to their home states after the mandatory hotel quarantine period without interacting with the public.

“Athletes subject to home quarantine will not be permitted a welcome-home hug.

“Either the athlete’s family must move away, the athlete must find a way of isolating from the family or the entire family goes into quarantine.

“That is not an acceptable option for someone who is fully vaccinated and who has already just completed two weeks’ quarantine.”