A new Agency has been established to oversee a stronger coronavirus quarantine program aimed at enabling Victorians and visitors to start safely returning from overseas.
The new Agency and program were launched as part of the State’s response to the interim report of the Hotel Quarantine Inquiry.
Premier Daniel Andrews and Minister for Police and Emergency Services, Lisa Neville announced the new Agency as COVID-19 Quarantine Victoria (CQV), which is to oversee all elements of the quarantine program.
Mr Andrews and Ms Neville said the program was overhauled following a root-and-branch review of the original quarantine program.
“All staff working in the program are employed or directly contracted by CQV with the exception of cleaning staff,” the Ministers said.
“All government staff working in the COVID-19 Accommodation program are under the command of the CQV Commissioner and all contracts for the program will be held by CQV,” they said.
“Health, enforcement and operational expertise will be embedded in the executive structure of CQV, responding to a key recommendation from the interim report.”
Mr Andrews and Ms Neville said frontline staff would work in ‘bubbles’ to ensure they only had contact with a limited number of other staff during their shift and to allow for the ‘bubble’ to be taken offline with minimal impact if a staff member became unwell.
“The Frontline Worker Accommodation program (formerly known as Hotels for Heroes) will be expanded to include those working in the COVID-19 Accommodation program,” they said.
“This will ensure staff, including those who have household members who work in the aged care sector, are able to access alternative accommodation if required.”
The Premier and the Minister said Corrections Commissioner Emma Cassar had been appointed interim Commissioner of CQV and was to report directly to the Minister for Police and Emergency Services.
Mr Andrews and Ms Neville said three Deputy State Controllers with relevant experience would support the Commissioner, including new Deputy Chief Health Officer Ben Cowie.
They said Victoria Police Deputy Commissioner Ross Guenther would provide enforcement expertise and oversee the Police force’s expanded role in the program.
“The third Deputy State Controller will be appointed shortly and will use their extensive operational and logistical expertise to manage critical staffing and corporate aspects of the program,” Mr Andrews and Ms Neville said.
