Update - Inquiry Into Victoria's Hotel Quarantine Program

Day 1 comprised an opening address by Counsel Assisting and an outline of the matters to be addressed by the Inquiry.

By way of background, the Victorian Government required travellers returning to Australia on or after 28 March to be quarantined for a period of 14 days in a room at a designated hotel. There were a number of hotels designated in and around Melbourne. 

The hotels were secured primarily by private security personnel at the direction of Victorian Government departments.  The lead department is DHHS (Department of Health and Human Services) and a number of Authorised Officers were appointed to work with and in some circumstances provide guidance/direction to security personnel.  

Subsequently, there was a reported spread of COVID-19 from the quarantine hotels into the community hence the Inquiry into the COVID-19 Hotel Quarantine Program.

The media has reported daily on allegations involving practices and standards of behaviour in and around the quarantine hotels.  However, the public hearings will not occur to 6 August 2020.

Interested persons will be able to view the hearings online from 6 August 2020 through the Inquiry website - https://www.quarantineinquiry.vic.gov.au/