Coronavirus: Villawood detainees call for release in COVID-19 panic

Vulnerable detainees in Australia’s most populated detention centre are pleading with the government to let them out, claiming it is impossible to protect themselves from the coronavirus.

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Vulnerable detainees in Australia’s most populated detention centre are pleading with the government to let them out, claiming it is impossible to self-isolate or protect themselves from the spread of the coronavirus.

Almost 1500 people are being held in detention centres around the country but Villawood, southwest of Sydney, is the most crowded with 472 detainees.

Detainee Helder Carrascalao, an East Timorese man who has been held in Villawood for four years, has made a video plea for help saying he and others are panicking after being told detainees were taken away for testing for the virus.

“We are asking you to help us voice our decision that we need to be released. We are just sitting here waiting to catch the virus,” he said.

Mr Carrascalao’s lawyer Zali Burrows said “they are trapped like rats with no protective measures in place to stop officers infecting the detainees”.

Ms Burrows said her client had told her they were given $20 phone cards in response to their fears about contracting the virus.

“They are pretty scared considering officers are not wearing gloves or masks,” she said.

“The government could face a damages claim by those who contract CV and they failed to protect them.”

Detainees at the Villawood Detention Centre say they are “trapped like rats”.

Elderly and infirmed detainees, some with serious heart and lung issues housed in the medical facility known as Hotham inside Villawood, have revealed no one is being checked for fevers or high temperatures as they enter the facility and they have been told no masks or gloves are available.

Nathaniel McCleary, who is aged 82, said he is a sitting duck. He has heart disease and diabetes and fears he will contract the virus and die.

After living in Australia for 52 years, he was recently released from jail ahead of being deported to Britain. Now he wants to be released to the care of his longtime partner.

Another 82-year-old man Michael, who did not want his surname revealed, said he was confined to his bed in the medical unit and he is worried that no one appears to be taking any precautions.

“If we die in here it is manslaughter,” he said.

There are no confirmed cases of COVID-19 at Villawood but it is not clear how many detainees are being tested.

As of January 31 this year, according to statistics from Home Affairs, there were 472 detainees in Villawood, Yongah Hill, east of Perth, had 359, Melbourne Immigration Detention Centre had 332, while Brisbane had 211 and Adelaide 25 and Perth airport detention centre had 27.

There were only five on Christmas Island.

A spokesman for Home Affairs said there are no confirmed cases of COVID-19 at Villawood Immigration Detention Centre (VIDC) or within the broader detention network.

However, he did not respond to questions about how many detainees are currently in isolation and being tested.

The spokesman said infection control plans are in place and plans to manage suspected cases of COVID-19 have already been developed and tested.

“Within the detention facility detainees displaying any COVID-19 symptoms may be quarantined and tested in line with advice from health official and in accordance with the broader Commonwealth response,” he said.

“A range of measures have been introduced, and are being continually reviewed, to keep detainees and staff informed of preventive measures and personal hygiene standards.”

Originally published as Coronavirus: Villawood detainees call for release in COVID-19 panic