Toowoomba Wellcamp facility nearly complete as Deputy Premier Steven Miles says Omicron strain vindicates 1000-bed hub

The Wellcamp quarantine facility is nearly finished as a new Covid strain emerges, “vindicating” the decision.

Queensland Deputy Premier Steven Miles says the emergence of the Omicron strain has vindicated the government's decision to build the Wellcamp quarantine hub.

The decision to build a 1000-bed quarantine hub outside Toowoomba has been vindicated by the new strain of Covid-19.

That’s according to Deputy Premier Steven Miles, who said the new Omicron strain re-enforced the need for safe quarantining facilities that didn’t include hotels.

Wagner Corporation is expected to deliver the first 500 beds at the Wellcamp facility by the end of December, thanks to making up some time lost due to rain delays.

It comes as federal, state and territory leaders across Australia announced changes to travel restrictions in light of the new strain being detected.

The federal government has changed some of its international travel rules in response to the new strain, including a travel ban for overseas travellers from nine African countries.

Australian citizens, permanent residents and immediate family members arriving from those countries will need to go into immediate hotel quarantine for 14 days.

Three cases have already been detected across the Northern Territory and New South Wales.

Mr Miles, who announced five new non-Omicron Covid cases on Monday, said the new facility at Wellcamp would be essential to help Australia work through new strains of the virus as they were detected.

“With the emergence of new variants the dedicated accommodation facility will provide protection for Queenslanders,” he said.

“The Federal Government has implemented mandatory supervised quarantine for any Australian returning from countries of concern and anyone who has been in those countries in the last 14 days.

“This is a sensible measure, while we assess the severity of this new strain, but it underlines the necessity for quarantine facilities.

“Hotel quarantine turned out to be one of our biggest risks during the pandemic and now with borders opened we need our hotels for tourists.

“That’s why we’re working with the Wagners to build Wellcamp and why we’re supporting the Federal Government to build Pinkenba.”

Wagner Corp chairman John Wagner said he was confident the first stage would be delivered within weeks.