Whistleblower blames Melbourne quarantine failures on ‘lack of training’

A security guard has blown the whistle on a serious lack of training at Melbourne’s quarantine hotels which were identified as the source of the city’s second outbreak of coronavirus. The guard, identified only as George, broke a gag order to appear on the Today show where he revealed he received only five minutes of training before being tasked to one of Melbourne’s quarantine hotels. Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese told Sky News "it shouldn't be beyond the capacity" of security firms to strictly adhere to COVID-safe practices arguing it was "effectively a breach of their contract". Security firms allegedly charged fees for shifts that were never worked, paid security guards in cash and made up names for staffers who never existed. There are also reports security guards slept with guests who were ordered to self-isolate inside their hotel rooms. Health Minister Greg Hunt instructed authorities to "throw the book" at anyone found to be in breach of quarantine protocols. Meanwhile, police have begun patrolling declared hot-spots across Melbourne. Under restrictions, which came into effect today, residents of 36 suburbs across the city were only permitted to leave home for four reasons including essential shopping and exercise. Treasurer Josh Frydenberg urged the Andrews government "to keep it in perspective", noting Victoria made up about a quarter of the nation's total economic gains. "We're talking about 10 postcodes being locked down, just over 300,000 people out of a state of 6.4 million people," he said. The state recorded another 73 new cases overnight. Image: News Corp Australia

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