Traveller applauds Howard Springs staff and facility

A HOT spot arrival to the NT staying at the Howard Springs says she “cannot compliment the staff and system highly enough” following another traveller criticising the quarantine standards at the facility

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A HOT spot arrival to the NT staying at the Howard Springs quarantine facility has countered claims the meals, ­accommodation or health monitoring on site are substandard, saying she “cannot compliment the staff and system highly enough”.

Sharon Kuperholz, who along with her husband and 24-year-old son is staying at the re-purposed former Inpex workers camp, said arrivals were being treated well and she had no complaints about her time there.

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It comes after another hot spot arrival staying at the facility, who did not want to be named, described conditions there as “sub par” for the $2500 cost and singled out the standard of food and hygiene and a lack of visible patrols on site as key issues.

Ms Kuperholz contacted the NT News to say she disagreed with the fellow arrival’s view on all points and that staff were “doing a wonderful job”.

One of the rooms at the Howard Springs quarantine centre. Picture GLENN CAMPBELL

“We are prepared three meals a day. They’re not taking the cheapest or worst options, and I think they’re possibly serving us some of the very few options that have the capacity to feed an extra 500 people on short notice,” she said.

“The accommodation is completely adequate. It’s clean, it’s basic. It has a large undercover patio, which we share, but each of us are 4m away.

“We can chat over the divide so it’s quite social.”

Ms Kuperholz said they were allowed 20 minutes of exercise twice a day, and she had even started a few group fitness classes at 9am.

“Everyone’s being completely responsible, wearing masks and social distancing, but it’s not like you feel isolated and cooped up and it’s quite social and friendly,” she said.

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“Hygiene isn’t an issue at all. I’ve talked to a lot of people and no one’s had any bad experiences. The place is immaculate.

“And staff are absolutely doing their best to keep ­everyone healthy, happy and emotionally supported … It’s actually exceeded my expectations.”