No concern for Hamilton Island as hotspot travellers evacuated and tested

Six Victorians who travelled from a Covid hotspot to Hamilton Island before the Melbourne lockdown have been moved to the mainland to quarantine.

Six tourists from Covid-ravaged Melbourne have been taken by police from Hamilton Island as the iconic Whitsundays holiday destination became the centre of Queensland’s latest virus scare.

The family of six were evacuated off the island on Sunday after being identified as close contacts of a Covid-positive case.

Hamilton Island said the family arrived on Friday, before Victoria was plunged into a snap five-day lockdown following a surge in COVID-19 cases.

Hamilton Island visitors disembark police boat QPV Damian Leeding at Coral Sea Marina, Airlie Beach before being taken away via ambulance. Picture: Kirra Grimes

They are among more than 10,000 people identified as close contacts of those infected in the latest Victorian outbreak, which is believed to have been sparked by three interstate removalists and a family who moved from Sydney to Melbourne and broke quarantine rules.

The tourists were taken by water police launch to Airlie Beach, with four transferred by ambulance to Proserpine Hospital for testing.

Hamilton Island visitors being taken away via ambulance. Picture: Kirra Grimes

It’s understood two were placed in private quarantine for 14 days, with the other four expected to join them if cleared by hospital tests.

A Hamilton Island spokeswoman said a group of people had arrived there from Victoria prior to the lockdown orders coming into effect and were identified as close contacts.

“They were isolating in their accommodation, tested and all returned a negative result,” she said.

“As a precaution, Queensland Health advised that they would need to be moved to a designated hotel quarantine facility on the mainland.

“Queensland Health has advised there is no concern for the community or other guests.”

In a statement, Queensland Health said was aware of visitors on Hamilton Island who came from Greater Melbourne prior to Victoria’s lockdown restrictions.

“All persons who have been to an interstate exposure site and identified as close contacts will be required to isolate, get tested and await further advice from Queensland Health,” a spokeswoman said.

Hamilton Island visitors arrive on the mainland. Picture: Kirra Grimes

“All appropriate public health measures are being followed.

“Anyone who has left Victoria in the past 14 days are being urged to check the list of interstate exposure venues now.”

Whitsunday MP Amanda Camm said the Covid scare was a “concern” for the region at the height of its tourist season.

“The last thing the Whitsundays need is a case of Covid,” she said.

“It’s concerning people are still taking risks and trying it on when it comes to travelling outside their states despite health advice.

“It’s people’s behaviour that is putting us all at risk, not necessarily the virus.”

Ms Camm said Hamilton Island had been “extremely vigilant” when it came to Covid safety and tourists from hotspots were being regularly turned around at the airport.

“I fully back the Queensland police and Queensland Health response,” she said.

Originally published as No concern for Hamilton Island as hotspot travellers evacuated and tested