The other side of hotel quarantine: Family with sick daughter forced to self-isolate after returning from Bali reveal the incredible lengths taken by staff to make their stay easier
- Sarah Candari, 45, and her family from Bali are in 14-day quarantine in Sydney
- The family came back to Australia as their daughter, Adeline, 2, has pneumonia
- Mrs Candari worried her two daughters would struggle locked in a hotel room
- Hotel staff delivered a bag of crafts and toys to keep the children occupied
A family in quarantine have shared details of the incredible lengths taken by hotel staff to make the experience easy for their two children.
History teacher Sarah Candari, 45, her husband Aldrex, 40, and their two daughters Adeline, two, and Aurelia, seven, returned to Australia from Bali on March 30 because their youngest daughter has pneumonia.
They were worried Indonesian hospitals wouldn't be able to treat Adeline if they became overwhelmed with COVID-19 cases.
On day seven of their quarantine in Sydney's Intercontinental Hotel, nurses and staff brought a bag of crafts, books, lollies and toys to their room and wrote a note telling the family to 'take care' and 'we are all in this together.'
Mrs Candari posted photos on Facebook of her children enjoying the presents.
History teacher Sarah Candari (left), 45, her husband Aldrex (right), 40, and their two daughters Adeline (centre-right), two, and Aurelia (centre-left), seven, returned to Australia on March 30 because their youngest daughter has pneumonia
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Mrs Candari said they planned on staying in Bali, but believed moving back to Australia was the best way to keep their daughter safe and healthy.
'She has already been hospitalised three or four times for pneumonia in her short life with lungs filled and difficulty breathing amongst other issues such as penicillin allergies,' Mrs Candari told Daily Mail Australia.
'On Friday, we received a Smart Traveller alert saying the advice for Indonesia was to leave as the government may not be able to evacuate us and Australians should leave and return home.
'Therefore if anything happened to us or our children we would be safer within the care of Australia.'
Mrs Candari said they would try to rent a house in Townsville as that is where her husband works as a casual air conditioner technician.
Her family arrived in Sydney on Monday morning and were rushed to their hotel but said the army and police were very helpful with her children.
On day seven of their quarantine in Sydney's Intercontinental Hotel, nurses and staff brought a bag of crafts, books, lollies and toys to their room and wrote a note telling the family to 'take care' and 'we are all in this together'
After seven days, Mrs Candari became worried about her two children as it was difficult to keep them occupied.
'The seven-year-old does complain a lot to go out, but she can occupy herself on the internet and with games and activities. The two-year-old is more difficult and does need toys and other things to keep her entertained,' she said.
A group called Viral Kindness Eastern Suburbs Sydney heard of Mrs Candari's situation and organised toys and craft items to be delivered to their hotel room.
'The kids were so excited. The toys came in packages labelled with their age and they each took their age-appropriate toys with such joy and have been able to be entertained for hours,' she said.
She said hotel staff have also left lollipops, chocolate milk, a colouring book and pencils at their door.
When Mrs Candari read the note that was attached to the package, she 'was excited to see kind words and thoughtful encouragement.'
'I got a little teary as I have just seen so much negative press about people in isolation so I was surprised and grateful that community members appreciated that this is tough on kids and parents and felt empathy.'
They worried Indonesian hospitals wouldn't be able to treat Adeline if they became overwhelmed with COVID-19 cases
When she posted pictures of kind-hearted actions of nurses and staff, she said the reaction from the community was 'overwhelming.'
'We have received support and kindness from people in Dallas, New York City and here in Sydney. It has been so lovely.'
Many commenters thought the staff went above and beyond for the family.
One person said: 'I can't imagine how hard it is with two small children. Lovely to hear there are people putting practical ideas into action. May your days pass quickly.'
'Not easy at all, but after so many people complaining it is nice to hear from someone who can look past themselves for the good of everyone. Thank you, wishing you and your family all the best,' another person commented.
Another said: 'Well done all - to your family for facing this with patience and grace, and those on the other side of the door for being thoughtful and kind. May we all be so, in these days.'
'Loving your attitude. Others are not so grateful. Well done and I hope you all get through this okay,' another said.
On day seven of quarantine, nurses and staff brought a bag of crafts, books, lollies and toys to their room and wrote a note telling the family to 'take care' and 'we are all in this together'
Thousands who have returned from overseas since Sunday have been put in 14-day quarantine in some of Australia's best hotels in a bid to slow the spread of coronavirus.
Those who returned to Sydney were sent to the InterContinental, Hilton, Swissotel and the Novotel on Darling Harbour- all with starting prices of over $200 a night for standard rooms.
Their stays will be funded by the taxpayer.
Despite many free perks such as three meals a day, some guests have labelled the hotels 'luxury jail cells'
Some guests have complained about the food, while others said they are unable to open the windows in their rooms and they aren't provided with exercise equipment.
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