Confirmation today that COVID-19 Quarantine Victoria (CQV) will trial the use of surveillance robots is the latest backflip within Daniel Andrews’ shambolic hotel quarantine program.
First offered to Victorian officials in September 2020, the Andrews Labor Government has waited five months before committing to trial this technology in an effort to reduce the risk of infection with hotel quarantine facilities.
This backflip on the use of surveillance robot technology follows several basic and dangerous failings of Daniel Andrews’ relaunched hotel quarantine program, including;
- a member of the public being able to enter and move through a quarantine facility without being told to sign in, isolate or take a test,
- confirmation that staff and guests within hotel quarantine facilities are failing to follow healthcare infection control standards,
- a man confirming he was approved multiple times to use a nebuliser – despite government claims he was informed this device was not allowed, and;
- a staff member not wearing a mask whilst working at the Intercontinental on Collins.
Far from being the nations “gold standard” quarantine, it’s clear Daniel Andrews still hasn’t got the basics right and continues to place all Victorians at risk of further outbreaks and lockdowns.
Comments attributable to Shadow Minister for Police and Community Safety, David Southwick:
“Yet again we see Daniel Andrews only acting to address hotel quarantine faults once the horse has bolted – leaving the Victorian community to pay the price.
“If these robots can reduce the risk of infection to the community, then Daniel Andrews must explain why it has taken five months and another quarantine outbreak to implement this technology.
“With hardly a week going by without a serious incident or overhaul made, it’s clear Daniel Andrews’ claims of a ‘gold standard’ quarantine program couldn’t be further from the truth.”
