The Australian authorities will pay $3 million for an investigation into a potential source of a coronavirus outbreak after employees at quarantine hotel allegedly had sexual relations with people under lockdown
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- Officials in Victoria, Australia, are investigating possible protocol breaches tied to hotels hosting quarantined travelers after cases were linked to the hotels, CNN[1] reported.
- According to The New York Times,[2] a new coronavirus outbreak in Victoria prompted new restrictive measures.
- Victoria recorded 77 new cases on Thursday, the highest since March.
- Visit Business Insider’s homepage for more stories[3].
The government in Victoria, Australia, will provide $3million for an investigation into the spread of coronavirus in a hotel that was hosting quarantined travelers after allegations that employees did not follow protocols and allegedly even had sex with some guests under lockdown, CNN[4] reported.
According to a press release from Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews site, genomic sequencing linked a number of coronavirus cases to the hotel quarantine program, and one of Victoria’s “most experienced and respected judicial officers” was brought in to investigate.
The hotel quarantine program places returning travelers in isolation for 14 days in a hotel to monitor for the coronavirus.
While the statement did not specify what misconduct took place, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation[5] reported possible sexual relations between employees and guests who were isolating. The outlet also claimed that families were allowed to go between rooms.
Australian broadcaster 9 News’ “Today” show[6] reported that one security guard who was on contract got only five minutes of training before starting.
“There are two cases where it appears that there have been clear breaches with significant ramifications,” Australia’s Minister for Health Greg Hunt said according to CNN, but he did not confirm the allegations.
At least 31 cases were linked to the Melbourne’s Stamford Plaza Hotel, ABC reported.[7] Additionally, two other hotels had infections linked to them.
“It is abundantly clear that what has gone on here is completely unacceptable and we need to know exactly what has happened,” Andrews said in the statement.