Melbourne's hotel quarantine guards were NOT told to wear masks at all times before coronavirus escaped and caused Victoria's deadly second wave
- Coronavirus escaped from bungled hotel quarantine scheme in Melbourne
- An inquiry into the scheme heard from a lawyer representing Unified Security
- Security guards were not told to wear masks if they could distance from guests
Security guards were not told to wear masks at all times while manning Melbourne's quarantine hotels, it has emerged.
The inquiry into Victoria's bungled quarantine scheme heard from a lawyer representing Unified Security, one of the firms contracted for the job.
Arthur Moses SC revealed the advice the security firm was given from Victoria's health department about personal protective equipment.
Security guards (left) were not told to wear masks at all times while manning Melbourne's quarantine hotels, it has emerged
It said surgical masks did not need to be worn when a guard could maintain a 1.5m distance from a guest.
This included when escorting guests into the hotel, when taking them for exercise breaks and taking items such as food to their doors.
The government advice sheet, which was presented to the inquiry, only told guards to wear masks if a 1.5m distance was 'not feasible'.
Share this article
Melbourne University infectious diseases expert Professor Lindsay Grayson slammed the government by saying that advice was 'inappropriate'.
He said PPE could have drastically reduced the spread of the virus.
The inquiry is set to hear from government ministers at a later date.
Victoria's deadly second wave of coronavirus has been traced back to failures in the hotel quarantine program.
The government advice, which was presented to the inquiry, only told guards to wear masks if a 1.5m distance was 'not feasible'. Pictured: Passengers are quarantined in Melbourne
