COVID-19 Hotel Quarantine

In reply to the Hon. F. PANGALLO (22 June 2021).

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

1. As at 30 May 2021, the cost of damages charged by hotel operators was $8,491.32. This covers property damage to items inside the rooms, such as televisions and carpet. The full extent of damage is unknown as the hotel operators often choose to treat damage as accidental or expected depreciation.

2. Debt recovery for damage caused by guests undertaking quarantine is not pursued.

3. The total dollar value of infringement notices issued to guests quarantining in a medi-hotel from 27 March 2020 to 29 June 2021 was $33,370.

4.

(a) With the exception of Tom's Court, provisioning expenditure is not required for the sites previously or currently utilised as medi-hotels.

(b) As of 30 May 2021, the cost for the provision of Tom's Court as a medi-hotel was $188,491.75 (including GST) in preoccupancy upgrades to air conditioning; carpentry (adjoining room door install for family rooms); and other incidental and administrative services.

(c)

installation of a new air-conditioning system and adjustments to door closers on guest suite doors at Tom's Court Hotel;

an independent cost review of the heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) works at Tom's Court Hotel; and

engineering consultants (mostly internal staff) engaged to provide preliminary supporting advice on the commencement of the medi-hotel HVAC reviews.

(d) See above answer to question 1.

(e) As at 30 May 2021, $16,649,762.64 is outstanding. The initial invoice is sent to the guest with terms of payment within 30 days. Up to three dunning notices are sent if the invoice is unpaid. If the invoice remains unpaid after the three dunning notices, the account is escalated to the Fines Enforcement and Recovery Unit . Payment plans are offered for those proving financial hardship.

(f) The government of South Australia has received an invoice for $3.2 million from the New South Wales government. The South Australian Department of Treasury and Finance have worked with NSW and other participating states/territories (being Victoria, Tasmania and the ACT) to implement a cross-charging regime with those states and territories. We will be reimbursing those states/territories for the net costs of hotel quarantine for returning SA residents, while those states and territories will reimburse SA for the net costs of their residents who quarantine in our hotel quarantine facilities.

(g) The government of South Australia has not billed any states or territories, as the cross-charge regime detailed above is being finalised.

(h) As of 30 May 2021, the total is $22,561,417.59.