July 20, 2021
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has detailed several guidelines under which a purpose-built quarantine facility could operate near Wellcamp Airport.
In reply to a Question on Notice from LNP MP Pat Weir, the Premier repeated that hotels were not designed to operate as long-term quarantine facilities.
“Given the highly contagious COVID-19 variants, including the Delta variant, fit-for-purpose dedicated purpose-built quarantine facilities are essential to ensure the safe, long-term operation of quarantine systems, and continue Queensland’s successful response to the COVID-19 global health pandemic,” Mrs Palaszczuk said.
“Our proposed quarantine facility near Wellcamp Airport, Toowoomba, is designed to operate according to guidelines based on the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee’s National Hotel Quarantine Principles, recommendations from the Halton National Review of Hotel Quarantine, the joint agency review of the COVID-19 infection of a hotel worker (Hotel Grand Chancellor), infection prevention and control best practice, and the operational guidelines, policies and procedures that underpin Queensland’s hotel quarantine system.”
Mrs Palaszczuk said she had provided further detailed information to Prime Minister Scott Morrison on June 4.
“While the detailed proposal is with the Prime Minister for consideration and noting it is commercial-in-confidence, I am not currently in a position to share the proposal details further,” she said.
“However, I can assure the member that the Queensland Government considers the proposed facility at Wellcamp Airport a viable and effective quarantine option that is able to be rapidly implemented.
“If the Commonwealth decides to support this already designed facility proposed for Wellcamp Airport, Queensland could have a fully functioning, purpose-built quarantine facility built within months.
“The Member would also be aware that the Queensland Government has accepted the Commonwealth Government’s offer to investigate a potential quarantine facility site at the Damascus Barracks in Pinkenba, near to the Brisbane Airport. Both governments are working to progress a suitability assessment of the site for quarantine purposes.”
Mr Weir, who is the Shadow Minister for Natural Resources, Mines and Energy, had asked the Premier to provide details of the State Government’s management plan for the proposed Wellcamp facility.
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