Coronavirus: ‘Stick to protocols’ as nurse gives number

The Australian Medical Association has warned nurses against giving out their personal mobile phone numbers to quarantined travellers.

Australian Medical Association president Tony Bartone. Picture: AAP

The Australian Medical Association has warned nurses against giving out their personal mobile phone numbers to quarantined travellers after it emerged one had declared “to hell with protocol” and provided her number to people at Crowne Plaza in Melbourne.

The nurse reportedly ignored strict ethical codes because she was concerned about the dire state of some residents’ mental health.

“I can understand the motivation behind it, but it’s not appropriate,” AMA president Tony Bartone said.

“We need to be using appropriate channels and giving out a phone number would be something I would strongly counsel against.”

It comes after the body of a returned traveller was discovered on Saturday afternoon inside a hotel room at South Wharf in Melbourne’s CBD.

“She (the nurse) has said to hell with protocol,” Karissa Stewart wrote on Facebook. “If anyone at Crowne needs urgent assistance, please let me know.”

Ms Stewart said she had “permission” to give the nurse’s direct mobile number to travellers who were struggling with their mental health.

The Australian understands that at least three returned travellers have died while quarantined in hotels across Australia, including a woman in Sydney, a man in Melbourne and a third person in Perth.

Jenny Nairn, who is in quarantine at Crown Promenade Perth, said many travellers had suffered “serious mental health episodes” while in quarantine. “There were people who suffered panic attacks and claustrophobic people who had anxiety attacks.

“Not being able to leave a room for two weeks, even for five minutes of fresh air, is extraordinarily taxing on one’s mental health.”

Dr Bartone said people quarantined in hotels were already in a “hyper vigilant state” due to the stress involved in getting back to Australia amid a global travel lockdown.

“As luxurious as these rooms might be, not being able to walk or go outside and exercise can significantly impact your wellbeing.”

“They’ve been away from their supportive environments for a long period of time,” he said. “Add to that the fear and uncertainty surrounding COVID, and then forced quarantine, you can imagine the stress these people are under.”

Forced quarantine for international travellers is expected to remain in place, with medical advisers at federal and state levels warning it is “too early” for Australia to ease its restrictions.

NSW Health said each hotel was being staffed by experienced doctors, nurses and mental health professionals. Travellers also receive a daily phone call from a nurse with expertise in mental health.

NSW Police Commissioner Mick Fuller said 6000 Australians had returned from overseas in the past two weeks.