COVID-19 Hotel Quarantine

In reply to the Hon. K.J. MAHER (Leader of the Opposition) (17 November 2020).

The Hon. S.G. WADE (Minister for Health and Wellbeing): I have been advised:

The National Review of Hotel Quarantine was published on 23 October 2020 and the main report is publically available on the Australian government Department for Health's website.

The appendix to the National Review of Hotel Quarantine arrangements is subject to federal cabinet guidelines and its circulation is therefore limited.

Feedback provided to South Australia as part of the National Review of Hotel Quarantine arrangements was complimentary of South Australia's arrangements, with recognition of our infection control arrangements within both the airport and hotel settings.

The commonwealth review team were also complimentary to South Australia's governance arrangements with strong cooperation and working arrangements between the responsible agencies.

South Australia has been making ongoing improvements to its medi-hotel system, as a result our system is already aligned to the majority of recommendations.

Up to 17 November 2020, there have been 164 security officer-related breaches involving either use of PPE or a breach of security standard operating procedures.

All breaches were determined as low risk with the majority relating to MSS Security's standard operating procedures not being followed, such as security officers using a mobile phone while on shift.

There have also been eight reported breaches relating to SAPOL or SA Health staff. One breach in relation to a nursing staff member was risked assessed by CDCB. As a result the staff member undertook precautionary 14-day quarantine. The seven other breaches were considered minor.