Tasmanian Labor is calling for the government to ensure arrivals at a COVID-19 quarantine hotel in Hobart's CBD are cordoned off from members of the public in the busy area.
Labor Member for Clark Ella Haddad said office workers and management in the adjacent building to the quarantine hotel are worried about the risk to their health and the potential for a second wave in Tasmania.
"The Travelodge Hotel, which is being used as a COVID-19 quarantine hotel is right next door to the CBD's biggest commercial office block, at 188 Collins Street," Ms Haddad said.
"I've been contacted by a number of office workers concerned about passengers entering quarantine from buses parked directly outside their workplace's main entrance.
"We have photos of building tenants and members of the public walking freely through groups of passengers exiting the buses, unaware that they are entering quarantine and could be infected with COVID-19. Some passengers are wearing masks, but others are not.
"There are 2,500 workers in this building, along with thousands of members of the public coming and going in this high foot traffic area, so it is critical that measures are in place to ensure they do not come into contact with quarantine arrivals.
"The government needs to actively manage quarantine arrivals and arrange for bus passengers entering quarantine to be cordoned off from office building tenants and members of the public to minimise their risk of exposure.
This is an avoidable risk with a simple solution. The government has a responsibility to all Tasmanians to do all it can to keep them safe. We've seen the tragedy unfolding in Victoria. We cannot risk a second wave in Tasmania."
Ella Haddad MP
Labor Member for Clark
