Victoria has recorded no new coronavirus cases and deaths for 40 days in a row, as returned travellers lift the lid on the revamped hotel quarantine.
Victoria started to accept international arrivals again from Monday after Premier Daniel Andrews diverted all overseas flights from Melbourne on June 30 when the state was hit by a deadly second wave of coronavirus.
Sloppy quarantine measures by privately-hired security guards sparked Melbourne’s horror second wave, with 90 per cent of all infections traced back to one family of four who isolated at the Rydges on Swanston hotel.
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Vu Nyuen and Ha Phung and their son Sam, 3, on Monday arrived on the first flight to land in Melbourne since the state’s deadly second wave of COVID-19
Pictured is a room for a family of three at Melbourne’s Pan Pacific hotel, being used for quarantine
International arrivals are now taken to two hotels – the Park Royal and the Pan Pacific.
Additional health hotels or ‘hot hotels’ have been set up for people with medical needs or symptomatic travellers.
Returning travellers are revealing what it’s like in Victoria’s rebooted and strict hotel quarantine, with some saying they can’t even open a window.
Vu Nyuen and Ha Phung and their son Sam, 3, on Monday arrived on the first flight to land in Melbourne since the state’s deadly second wave of COVID-19.
The 27-year-old mother said the family had been adjusting to life in just one room at the Pan Pacific but said it was ‘so far, so good’.
‘It’s quite small but it’s a big enough room for a couple and child,’ she told the Herald Sun.
Ms Phung said her husband works remotely and the family would prefer if he could have a ‘working corner or different room’.
Returning travellers are revealing what it’s like in Victoria’s rebooted and strict hotel quarantine, with some saying they can’t even open a window
The 27-year-old mother said the family had been adjusting to life in just one room at the Pan Pacific but said it was ‘so far, so good’
Ms Phung is documenting her time travelling back to Australia and in hotel quarantine
The family feel lucky to be back in Victoria after they became stranded in March when she travelled to the UK to visit her husband who had been working.
The young couple has now spent about $9,000 to cover the cost of the hotel quarantine.
Ms Phung said she has had to distract her son with movies and colouring books to stop him from bouncing off the walls.
‘I am just trying to catch up with the new time zone and keep him happy and busy with new activities in our room,’ she said.
Pictured is the lobby of the Pan Pacific hotel, where Ms Phung and her family are in quarantine
Comedian Adam Hills arrived in Melbourne on Tuesday and is also in quarantine, sharing videos and photos to Instagram throughout his stay
‘The nurse called him and got him a little present so he’s excited with that.’
In the previous hotel quarantine, guests were allowed to get some fresh air but now they can’t even open a window.
Ms Phung said the room was designed that the entire wall is a window so they still get some sunshine, but no fresh air.
Meals include chicken curry, salad, muesli and fruit with Ms Phun saying there were some ‘nice’ that were nice while others weren’t.
Posting a video on quarantine day one, Hills said it also had been ‘not a bad start’ and was happy to be able to order room service
Comedian Adam Hills arrived in Melbourne on Tuesday and is also in quarantine, sharing videos and photos to Instagram throughout his stay.
Posting a video on quarantine day one, Hills said it also had been ‘not a bad start’ and was happy to be able to order room service.
‘Honestly after 40 hours of travel the staff in Melbourne were absolutely top-notch,’ he said in a video.
‘There were army, there was police, everyone was friendly, everyone was saying welcome home, everyone was checking people who got off the plane were fine. The check-in to the hotel was relatively straight forward, it took a while.
‘Finding out I could actually order room service if necessary, I almost cried. I could order a milkshake if I want to.’