ADF troops quarantining in Darwin hotels instead of Howard Springs after agreement with NT CHO

MORE than 200 Australian, Singapore and US military personnel are currently in quarantine in two hotels in Darwin instead of the dedicated Howard Springs facility, the Australian Defence Force has confirmed.

MORE than 200 Australian, Singapore and US military personnel are currently in quarantine in two hotels in Darwin instead of the dedicated Howard Springs facility, the Australian Defence Force has confirmed.

It turns out the two hotels have been used to quarantine military personnel, contractors and accompanying family members on postings for months.

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A look inside the Howard Springs quarantine facility. Picture: Ben Sale/ Other Side Productions

This despite the Howard Springs facility, which has the current capacity to quarantine just under 1500 people, being in use to isolate travellers coming from hot spots.

NT Health confirmed under the Chief Health Officer’s directions Defence personnel, health workers, freight transport workers, air travel staff and power, water and communications maintenance workers could also undertake quarantine under “alternative arrangements”, though strictly no exemptions were allowed.

A Defence spokesman said the NT’s CHO had agreed in July that military personnel would be quarantined in two hotels when they come into the Territory.

US Marines were quarantined on base when they came to Darwin for MRF-D this year. Picture: Supplied

“This was done to enable close management by the ADF, and to reduce strain on Howard Springs Quarantine Facility when it reopened in July,” he said.

Asked why US Marines had been allowed to quarantine on barracks when they were here for annual exercise Marine Rotational Force Darwin, while Australian troops were holed up in hotels, the Defence spokesman said the arrangement was “keeping with past and current practices” for US Marines to be accommodated on base.

“The approach was agreed in consultation with the NT government,” he said.

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Health Minister Natasha Fyles said the ADF had “successfully managed” their returned personnel at hotels.

“From the start of the COVID-19 pandemic we have led with decision making that keeps our community safe while allowing essential work and operations to continue,” she said.