People who quarantined in Tasmanian hotels in recent weeks will soon receive invoices

Travellers arriving into hotel quarantine in Tasmania in the past five and a half weeks will soon receive bills for their 14-day stays, but many may not have to pay the full fee. FIND OUT THE DETAILS >>

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MILLIONS of dollars worth of invoices will soon be sent out to people who were quarantined in Tasmanian hotels in recent weeks.

After July 31, all non-essential travellers arriving in Tasmania who were required to quarantine for 14 days in government-run hotels are being charged $2800, with a reduced rate applying for couples and families.

Since that date, there has been 1090 people come into hotel quarantine in the state, a Department of Communities spokesman confirmed.

“Those who arrived into hotel quarantine from 31 July will soon receive a fee invoice for their stay,’’ he said.

“Issuing of invoices could not commence until after the legislation received Royal Assent which was received last week.”

Individuals are charged $2800 for their 14-day stay, couples at a rate of $3800 and families with children up to a maximum of $4800.

Depending on the make-up of the more than 1000 people who will be billed — including whether they are singles, couples or families, the total amount of the invoices is between $1 million and $3 million.

Best Western Hotel in Hobart is one of the designated hotel quarantine destinations. Picture Chris Kidd

The department spokesman said after people receive their invoice, they could apply for a waiver or reduction of the fee based on their circumstances.

Seven hotels are currently being used by the government for quarantine purposes in Tasmania — three in the North, two in the South and two in the North West.

As of Monday this week, there was 459 people in hotel quarantine across the state.

The state government has spent close to $17 million on hotel quarantine since introducing the policy in March.

“As at 30 August 2020, costs for hotel quarantine related matters totalled $16,927,353. This includes accommodation, meals, transport, security and related expenditure,’’ the department spokesman said.

Last week, the state government advertised for the recruitment of two new highly-paid site manager roles to oversee the quarantine hotels.

One would be responsible for quarantine hotels in the north and north west, and the other for facilities in the south.

The roles are for full-time day work “commencing ASAP for a period of 6 months”, with annual remuneration between $92,896 and $105,414.

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