'People went nuts': Hotel quarantine security guards patrolling the 'crazy floor' of a Melbourne complex may have allowed the virus to escape after frantic guests begged to be released
- More claims revealed about Melbourne's botched hotel quarantine program
- Returned traveller claims guards weren't trained to deal with quarantine guests
- Overwhelmed by guests who begged and bribed for fresh air and cigarettes
- Another quarantine guest wrote a scathing submission about room cleanliness
- COVID-19 Hotel Quarantine Inquiry will hold a public hearing this week
Untrained security guards may have contributed to Melbourne's horror coronavirus outbreak by giving into the desperate pleas of guests 'going absolutely nuts' while confined in hotel quarantine, a returned traveller has claimed.
An independent inquiry will this week examine Victoria's scandal-riddled quarantine program after hotels involved in the operation were identified as a major contributor to Melbourne's second wave.
Victoria was the only state that hired private security firms to manage its hotel quarantine implemented by the federal government in March.
The inquiry, which begins on Thursday, is expected to hear how quarantined guests tried to beg and bribe overwhelmed security guards to be let out of their rooms for a cigarette, fresh air or released early from quarantine while still infectious.
An independent COVID-19 Hotel Quarantine Inquiry will hear evidence this week. Pictured are guests going into hotel quarantine in Melbourne after returning from overseas in March
A returned traveller who spent two weeks in quarantine in April claims he was on what guards described as the 'crazy floor' of a Melbourne hotel, where mental health workers were called in to sedate hysterical guests.
'They (the guests) were begging to be let out and running for the doors,' the man told The Australian.
He said the guards appeared unprepared to control guests desperate to be released from confinement.
'And they were being told no, but the guards had no real authority … they gave the impression they could be talked around. And guests were going up to the security guards, begging and offering money to be let out. It was insane,' he added.
Hotel Quarantine Facebook pages have also revealed the fragile state of returned travellers while confined in isolation.
'By the third day, my partner was screaming — I mean, SCREAMING — for help, sobbing uncontrollably and wailing that she just wanted to die,' one guest posted.
A number of security guards have since tested positive, spreading the virus across Melbourne, which has since gone into stage four lockdown with night curfews.
Health care worker Christine Cocks lodged a scathing inquiry submission about the uncleanliness of her room while in hotel quarantine.
Commuters wearing facemasks are seen waiting for a tram during in Melbourne on Monday
'We were provided with spray liquid and toilet cleaner and a cloth, but no toilet brush. The window had hand prints all over it, which I just had to clean off,' Ms Cocks wrote.
'The carpet was dirty. Quite a few in our cohort asked for a vacuum cleaner. We did not. Of concern to us was how the vacuum cleaner was transferred from room to room. I do not think it was cleaned between transfers.
'A fair percentage of our cohort had tested Covid positive.'
Her biggest concern was when she stripped all bed linen, including the mattress topper upon leaving the hotel before finding out her stay would be extended extended another night.
'When I asked for a replacement I was told that the mattress topper was not supposed to be included in the wash,' Ms Cocks wrote.
'We cannot believe this. How disgusting. What a great way to spread a virus!
'I think it is unfair to just point a finger at the security staff at the hotel because, to us, the most likely weakness was the how potential contaminants were managed by the hotel.
'Quarantine should only be managed by people well-trained in handling of contaminants.'
A man is seen walking on Collins Street during in Melbourne on Monday as unprecedented lockdown measures were announced
The inquiry will examine the decisions and actions of government agencies, hotel operators and private contractors, communication between the parties, guidance, training and equipment provided to security guards and hotel staff, along with policies, protocols and procedures.
The hearing will continue a second day on Friday if additional time is required.
The inquiry is due to deliver its findings on September 25.
The inquiry comes days after security guards lifted the lid on the Melbourne hotel quarantine saga.
A subcontractor admitted some guards were hired via Gumtree or other social media platforms and were not provided with training.
'There's no proper regulation, no criteria. It's like anyone can do anything,' subcontractor Roger told 60 Minutes on Sunday night.
He admitted many weren't equipped with the skills needed to work in quarantine hotels.
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'They have absolutely no knowledge what to do in this situation, because they are not trained for these kinds of situations,' he said.
Roger said he was aware of allegations that some guards were sleeping with infected guests.
'Yes. I was told that a guard had sex with the guests,' he said.
Among the unqualified guards who monitored guests was was university student 'John' who claimed neither he or any of his colleagues were given personal protection equipment.
Security subcontractor 'Roger' (pictured) told 60 Minutes he hired guards through websites such as Seek and Gumtree
'Everyone was sitting outside of their rooms without any PPE because they told us not to wear any mask,' he claimed
'From the very first point, [there was] no proper training. There must be some standards and protocols that say, 'You can do this' or 'You cannot go there in during your break'.'
John also claimed some of his colleagues unknowingly spread the virus by going to nearby convenience stores and fast food outlets on their breaks.
