Queensland to charge travellers up to $200 a night for quarantine
Queensland is set to begin charging overseas arrivals quarantined in hotels up to $200 for each day of their fortnight's stay, after the national cabinet signed off on the plan last month.
The change, which will provide yet-to-be-developed hardship exemptions, comes as the government revealed it had footed a $19 million bill for the scheme so far.
Passengers flying into Queensland from overseas have been placed into government provided hotel quarantine since last March.Credit:Darren England - AAP
All states and territories agreed at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in March to cover the cost of accommodation for returning travellers who needed to be quarantined, a move widely considered to be behind Australia's relative success in halting the virus' spread.
But from July 1, those flying into Queensland from overseas who do not already have a confirmed arrival date will have to cover part of the cost of their quarantine, according to an update to the Queensland government website on Wednesday.
The government will continue to cover security costs for hotels, along with transport and logistics, with passengers to be charged up to $200 a night, including $135 for a hotel room.
Daily meal costs of $65 for each adult will also now be charged to overseas arrivals — children's meals will cost half that.
It means the total 14-day fee will amount to $2800 for a single adult, or $3710 for two staying in the same room.
Groups comprising two adults and either one or two children in the same room will be charged $4165 and $4620, respectively, while three adults and three children spread across two rooms will face a fee of $7875.
Health Minister Steven Miles has been contacted for comment.
Those in hotel quarantine are able to order other non-contact drops of food and supplies via delivery platforms or friends and family.
Despite states such as the Northern Territory allowing people to see out the quarantine period in their homes or some other alternative place, the health risk in Queensland is deemed too high.
The Queensland government has so far spent more than $19 million accommodating international arrivals and expects the figure to pass $24 million by the end of the month.
"This was a critical measure to prevent COVID-19 but it also has been a costly measure to the public," the government website states. "National cabinet gave the go-ahead for states and territories to start charging international arrivals for quarantining costs [on May 29].
"The significant health risk ... cannot be appropriately managed at other residences or accommodation providers."
Queensland has led the push to charge travellers but the two biggest states, NSW and Victoria, have insisted they will continue picking up the bill on behalf of taxpayers.
Travel arrangements have meant those returning to the country have been quarantined in the city they arrive in, before returning to their home state after the 14 days are up.
NSW — which has carried the burden of more than 60 per cent of arrivals — intends to pass on an invoice to other states, but Victoria has said it will cover all returning travellers.
A hardship scheme to help vulnerable people and those facing financial difficulties returning to Queensland will be developed by July 1.
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