Two hotel quarantine staff in Melbourne test positive to coronavirus as the system is inundated with Australian Open players
- Two staffers at a Melbourne quarantine hotel tested positive to coronavirus
- Results came from a preliminary saliva swab and they were retested
- On Monday, Victorian health department said both had since tested negative
- Scare led to the isolation of 41 other staff at the Holiday Inn on Flinders
Two staffers at a Melbourne quarantine hotel have tested positive to coronavirus.
They are understood to be a nurse and a police officer who have been working at Holiday Inn on Flinders.
The worrying development follows hundreds of tennis players and staff recently flying into the city from abroad for the Australian Open.
Preliminary saliva swabs saw the pair test positive, leading to 41 other staff being placed in isolation.
They are understood to be a nurse and a police officer who have been working at Holiday Inn on Flinders
On Monday, the Victorian health department revealed both had since tested negative.
The nurse had a ‘front of house’ role, who would check temperatures of incoming guests, while the police officer had been monitoring the floors.
The latest health scare comes as 72 tennis players have been forced to isolate in hotel quarantine ahead of the Australian Open.
Players have been unable to leave their rooms and practice, with the tournament only three weeks away.
The confinement has sparked outrage though health authorities remain firm on the program.
Covid-19 Quarantine Victoria commissioner Emma Cassar insisted the program would not be modified.
She said that there had been cases of ‘challenging behaviour’ from some confined players and support staff.
She cited two cases when they opened their doors to have a conversation or shout down the hallway.
The worrying development follows hundreds of tennis players and staff recently flying into the city from abroad for the Australian Open (pictured, tennis players and coaches arriving at hotel quarantine)
The latest health scare comes as 72 tennis players have been forced to isolate in hotel quarantine ahead of the Australian Open (pictured, tennis players entering hotel quarantine)
‘There is zero tolerance for breaches,’ she said.
‘I had a conversation with Victoria police to ensure we are increasing our compliance and enforcement efforts.
‘It’s low level but dangerous acts that we just can’t tolerate.’
Ms Cassar warned they could be fined up to $20,000 or repeat offenders transferred to the complex care hotel where they have a police officer stationed outside their door.
Australian Open boss Craig Tiley has ruled out delaying the tournament, which is due to begin on February 8.
More to follow.
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