Earlier this week, I travelled from Victoria to the NT, staying overnight in NSW between flights. I’m now in to weeks of quarantine in the NT. Here are some observations from this process, esp on when it seems cops are in charge v when it seems health officials are in charge. 1/
Since 7 August, people transiting through NSW who have to stay overnight to catch a connecting flight must stay in a hotel nominated by the Chief Commissioner of Police in NSW – see cl 8A legislation.nsw.gov.au/_emergency/Pub…
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I arrived in the International terminate at Sydney Airport at 5.30pm. All passengers were put into two lines and walked through the customs area, which triaged us to get temperature checked by health staff and placed into different categories of travellers (transit, residents) 3/
Health staff checked out permits and took information about us and our transit. We were given stickers to indicate we were all clear to stay at a ‘police hotel’. There were about 20 cops standing guard. The cop I asked didn’t know where we were going. 4/
After an hour or so, we were able to get our bags. We were taken to busses, and army officers loaded our bags. There were another ten or so cops outside. After another 45 mins or so, we left the airport. Still no idea where were going. 5/
We listened to the bus driver’s sat nav. We went past airport hotels & stop at Four Points, near Ultimo. There are a handful of army reservists and cops. One police officer reads us a statement re the Public Health (COVID-19 Border Control) Order 2020. Skips lots of it 6/
We wait on the bus for each person to be processed by three NSW cops on laptops in the foyer, this takes about 20 mins per person (approx. 15-20 people on the bus). They take the same info we gave to the health workers at the airport, except check ID docs too. 7/
Finally in my room at about 9.30pm, with my dinner, a sandwich, and breakfast for the next day. Told a bus will be there at 7am to pick me up. Hotel staff, cops and army were all lovely, but I was pretty exhausted from 4 hours of anxious waiting. Asleep by 11pm, 8/
I wake at 12.30am to knocking at my door, yelling of ‘POLICE’. I was very out of it. I find a towel to wrap around me & open the door. Two cops. They ask for the same info I gave to health staff at the airport & the cop before checking in. They say it’s for a different system. 9/
I go back to bed. I get a call from hotel lobby five mins later asking what my departing flight seat number is. I say I haven’t checked in yet. They say OK. I go back to sleep 10/
I get up at 6.30am, so I’m ready for 7am bus. No call. At 7.15am I call the front desk. They say the bus is arriving at 7.30am. I wait 11/
At 7.35am, I get a call saying my ride is here. I go down, get a temp check, two cops are waiting for me – they are taking me to the airport. I overhear that there is another person on my flight from the hotel, they can’t take us both due to social distancing. 12/
About halfway to the airport I realise the cops aren’t wearing masks. I am. I overhear more from them about how the ‘POC’ has no idea what is going on. They are meant to escort me to the gate, but will have to just drop me off to get the other person. 13/
They drop me and go. I see them when I’m about to board. Both look a bit freaked. They are now wearing masks, have been told I am from a hot spot and their car needs a deep clean. They ask me if I am from a hot spot. I say yes, but not a high-community transmission suburb. 14/
I feel sorry for them, they are young, following orders to get me to the airport. But, it was their third day doing this. Apparently the busses organised for that morning were booked by the hotel, to arrive at the hotel at 8.30am and were to the international terminal. 15/
Smooth and beautiful flight to the NT. I get a whole row to myself! We arrive, as we walk to the airport building ppl triage us into two lanes: people who had been to a hot spot in the past 14 days & those who transited through Sydney. There are ten of us from hot spots 16/
We are greeted by NT health staff, sit down on socially distanced chairs, hand over our entry forms, fill in form with details not on the entry forms. There are separate loos set up for us. A couple of cops stand to the side. After about 10 mins, we go and get our bags. 17/
I ask, we are staying at the Mecure Hotel . Slight delay with the bus leaving -- one guy didn't have a mask to wear on the bus. Health staff re-emphasise to him that he must wear a mask on the bus. We leave to the hotel. 18/
I'll finish this in half an hour! It's my rec (outside) time!! 19/
When we arrive, there are health staff, two cops and a security guard. Health staff clearly in charge. They say hi, tell us they will call our name and take us to our room. Takes about 3-5 mins per person. We are given paper bags with all the rules and details of our stay 20/
Two health staff are taking ppl to their room. I'm called fifth, so waited only about 10mins on the bus. Health staff had gloves and a mask on. Given a trolley to push my bags to my room. Was told to order hot lunch from the kitchen, and we would get rec time outside. 21/
It took just over an hour to get from the plane, to the hotel. Clearly there was communication between health staff at airport and hotel, as my bag had my name and room number on it. Got lunch pretty quickly, and was called later that arvo to ask about my health & welfare 22/
Earlier that arvo (Fri) I got a text from the Red Cross on behalf of NSW Emergency Services, asking me to get in touch if I wanted a call. I don't remember consenting to my info being passed onto Red Cross. May have been in the permit application? Anyway, it was too late. 23/
On the night of arrival to the NT, I got a sheet notifying me of my rec time (10.15-10.45am each day). The next day (Saturday) I got another health call/check. 24/
Some reflections. We know all human systems have flaws, but clearly police and army are not the panacea to a well-run quarantine system. System design and clear lines of responsibility and communication are vital to these systems working well. 25/
From media reporting, we know the pandemic has stretched many already under-funded health departments. When there are fewer people to do the work, politicians turn to agencies that have lots of ppl on standby -- the better-resourced police and armed forces. 26/
Police and army know how to do logistics and have staff who follow orders and rules, but from my experience the cops (at least) don't have health-related procedures in place, don't seem to have good systems or clear lines of communication. This results in duplication, delay 27/
I think that's it. Happy to answer any questions 28/28.
*terminal :)
*our permits :)
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