Victoria’s ‘doughnut days’ at risk after overseas arrival lands with symptoms

The person was among 253 overseas arrivals who landed on Monday and was the first suspected coronavirus case taken to the Novotel hot hotel in South Wharf.

So far, so good, but guest tried to order booze

Ms Neville said no guests had complained after day one of Melbourne’s new quarantine program, with some taking up the offer to have treadmills and gym equipment in their rooms.

“People wanting to bring in quite large amounts of alcohol is probably the major issue, which of course we’re not allowing for other health reasons,” Ms Neville said.

“They can access alcohol [through the hotel] just not to get Dan Murphy’s in to deliver a crate of beer which was an attempt just today.”

Guests are restricted to alcohol the hotels provide due to licencing arrangements.

Ventilation issues delay second ‘hot hotel’

Eight international arrivals were transferred to the Novotel on Monday due to their complex health needs, but are not suspected of having the virus.

The Novotel will be used to house both positive and suspected cases of COVID-19, as well as overseas arrivals with complex health needs, while extra ventilation is installed at the Holiday Inn on Flinders. There are multiple floors between the two cohorts, with separate workforces looking after them, the government said.

Ms Neville confirmed the Holiday Inn would not be ready for at least another 10 days but insisted it would not compromise the quarantine system.

“We’re nowhere near being short on beds. We won’t get to full capacity for a while,” she said.

“I don’t think that makes any difference to the quality of the program at all. That will be ready when it’s needed to be ready.”

Six international flights carrying about 128 passengers from countries including Singapore, Qatar, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates and New Zealand are scheduled to arrive in Melbourne on Tuesday.

Those passengers are expected to join Monday’s arrivals at the Pan Pacific hotel at South Wharf and the Park Royal at Melbourne Airport.

Some travellers at Melbourne Airport were shocked to see flight crews step off international flights and walk through the terminal on Monday, while passengers are forced to spend a fortnight in quarantine.

Ms Neville said the state government could not force international flight crews, who make their own accommodation arrangements, into quarantine due to existing agreements with governments and airlines worldwide.

“Those decisions have been made by national governments about flight crews in the interests of keeping flights going,” she said.

“They [crews] are tested regularly and they do have COVID-safe practices on the aircraft as well.”

But just last week genomic testing revealed a Sydney cleaner’s coronavirus infection was linked to a US crew staying at the hotel where she was employed.

Inside Melbourne’s new hotel quarantine program

One passenger in quarantine with his family at the Park Royal airport hotel said the screening process at Tullamarine was relatively smooth.

“Obviously there are a few steps to go through … but it was pretty quick,” the man, identified only as Michael, told ABC Radio on Tuesday morning.

Michael said he and his family of four chose to get tested for COVID-19 before they boarded their flight from the UK as a precaution and said he noticed a big difference in the rigour of virus protocols between Australia and the UK.

“It’s very thorough [here]… coming from the UK there’s a huge difference in the thoroughness in precautions being taken,” he said.

“Coming through [the airport] everyone was in full PPE…. and [there was] a real effort to do social distancing as well.”

Michael said the food provided so far – a curry on Monday night and granola for breakfast Tuesday – was good and that he was pleased he had been able to secure two adjoining rooms for extra space for his two-year-old toddler.

“[The] only issue for us is the kids – how do you tell a two-year-old you can’t leave the hotel room?” he said. “We’re a bit concerned about that. [But] we’ve come with a lot of activities and things.”

More Australian Defence personnel will arrive in Melbourne on Monday, adding to 109 already in the city.

“We’ve well and truly got enough at the moment,” Ms Neville said.