Toowoomba Wellcamp quarantine hub modelled off Howard Springs facility in Northern Territory

The upcoming Toowoomba Wellcamp quarantine facility is said to be based on the model at Howard Springs, outside Darwin. But what does that look like? Here’s a view inside.

Inpex Howard Springs quarantine facility SUPPLIED

Repatriated Queenslanders and overseas workers who stay at the upcoming Toowoomba quarantine facility can expect limited mobility, strict biosecurity measures and catered meals as part of their two week stay.

That’s based on how life is like inside the Northern Territory’s own quarantine centre at Howard Springs, which the Wellcamp facility will be explicitly based on.

Wagner Corporation’s John Wagner has made no secret his proposal, which would be run by Queensland Health once completed, is based on the NT centre.

Howard Springs, which has been hosting international arrivals since October last year and has not had a breach, is a massive complex made up of hundreds of demountable structures.

Here’s how the Wellcamp facility might work:

ON ARRIVAL

According to the Northern Territory Government’s website, guests touch down at Darwin Airport and are immediately shuttled to the facility without entering the terminal.

“On arrival at the quarantine facility, you will be provided a comprehensive resident booklet providing information about day-to-day life in quarantine and telephone numbers/email addresses you are able to contact to seek information or assistance,” the website said.

“During your intake into the facility, you will be asked about your dietary needs, food allergies or medical needs.”

Guests are banned from bringing items like cooking equipment, alcohol, toys or other recreational items and care packages into the facility.

You will need to pack your phone charger as these are not provided by the facility.

AUSMAT staff conduct a swabbing run at a PPE drill at the NCCTRCA/AUSMAT sections of the Howard Springs quarantine centre on Darwin's outskirts. Picture: GLENN CAMPBELL

DURING YOUR STAY

Everyone is tested for Covid-19 twice during their stay at Howard Springs, with a refusal resulting in an extra 10 days at the facility.

The government restricts how much people can move around the centre, with excess movement only allowed once permitted by an officer.

“When not in their room, or on their veranda, residents must take all reasonable measures to stay at least 1.5 metres away from any other person in the quarantine facility, except for the person’s spouse, de facto partner, child or parent,” the website said.

“Guests must wear a face mask when outside their room unless an authorised officer permits the person to remove the face mask.

“A person must not leave the quarantine zone in which the person’s allocated room is located unless the person is escorted by an authorised officer, except in an emergency.

“Quarantine facility staff will remind you about wearing your mask, staying on your veranda and physically distancing through information in your resident booklet, by sending you sms reminder texts and verbally in person if we see you are not following the direction.”

Attendees are also banned from sharing or handing physical objects to other residents who are not immediate family members.

AMENITIES AND FEATURES

The two-week quarantine stay costs about $2500 per person, with limited luxuries included with that single room.

“Three meals a day are provided, along with instant coffee, long-life milk, airconditioning and free-to-air TV,” the NT News said in its description of the centre’s facilities.

“The accommodation comprises rows of four demountable cabins, each holding a single bed, a chair, a desk, a small TV, a bar fridge and a kettle.

“The free Wi-Fi is erratic.”

Residents at Howard Springs are entitled to two 20-minute exercise sessions each day, while once a week they are allowed 45 minutes in the nearby pool.

Howard Springs caters for people with specific dietary needs, including vegetarian, vegan and Halal meals.

“Staff delivering your meals will be in personal protective equipment and will leave your meal outside your room, knocking to alert it is there,” the NT Government website said.

“No meal delivery or delivery services (Uber Eats, Deliveroo, MenuLog, pizza) are accepted at the gate nor will facility staff purchase food on your behalf.”