The Chief Minister’s office has declined to release a list of hotels it selected as quarantine facilities for all interstate travellers arriving in the Territory.
On Monday, Chief Minister
Michael Gunner announced that all people travelling to the Northern Territory
from Wednesday night will be forced into a 14-day quarantine at local hotels,
costing the government $2500 per person.
As of Friday at midnight,
that cost will be passed on to any interstate traveller coming to the NT.
Mr Gunner said that 14 hotels
across the Territory had been chosen, including “six or seven” in Darwin.
But his office declined the NT
Independent’s request to release a list and explain how those hotels were
chosen.
“We were able to get these
rooms at a very good price for Territorians, for the taxpayer,” Mr Gunner said
while making the announcement on Monday.
“This is a way to keep the
Territory functioning. This way we keep some of those businesses going in the
Territory that will be so crucial to us on the rebound.
“It will cost us $2500 for
room, food and services.”
A search of local hotel
websites show rates for 14-days ranging from between $849 to $1400, with some
including food options. Some hotels are charging as little as $80 a night.
It’s understood some of the
government’s costs relate to guarding the hotels, but a breakdown and total was
not provided.
Halikos Group have been
advertising “stay safe 14 day isolation packages” at their H 105 hotel for at
least a week, starting at $849 for a king room, wifi and “10 day meal prep
style meals”.
The hospitality company
advertised that they have “implemented strict policies and procedures around
COVID-19 to ensure the safety and well-being of all guests and staff during
this time”.
It’s unclear if they have
been one of the hotels selected by the government to house mandatory quarantine
individuals at the rate of $2500.
Introducing our 'Stay Safe 14 Day Isolation Accommodation Packages' from $849 in our King Hotel Room.During this…
The company did not respond
to questions over the discrepancy in prices.
Local hotels have been forced
to lay off some staff due to the collapse of the tourism industry amid the
coronavirus pandemic and have been cutting rates significantly to attract
business.
The government announced
Tuesday morning that 10 Australian Defence Force members have been brought in
to work with NT environmental health officers and NT Police to ensure
interstate and international travellers in quarantine are complying with the
restrictions.
The government estimated 300
arrivals in the NT over the 24-hour period to Monday afternoon. That number is
expected to drop following the new mandatory quarantining restrictions.
On Saturday, 16 overseas
travellers who arrived in Darwin from Dili were forced into quarantine at the
Mercure Airport Hotel at government expense.
