Victoria is investigating the replacement of the police, and safety monitoring has returned travelers with robots

Victoria’s hotel quarantine program, which was restored late last year after security guards sowed coronavirus in the community leading to the deadly second wave of the pandemic, has been experiencing problems for the past few weeks.

There have been several leaks from the hotel quarantine despite Prime Minister Daniel Andrews boasting that Victoria has the strictest regime.

The state was locked up for the third time about two weeks ago after being dispatched to the Holiday Inn near Melbourne Airport, with strong evidence of COVID-19 spreading in the air.

Two returning travelers who never crossed paths but stayed on the same floor of the Park Royal Hotel carried the British variant of the coronavirus between them last month, while Emergency Services Minister Lisa Neville said at the time: ‘The viral charge from the room of the family of five was so high that only opening the door to pick up food saw the virus enter the hallway. ”

Meanwhile, a 26-year-old man from Noble Park who worked at the Grand Hyatt returned a positive COVID-19 test earlier this month, although he was a ‘model employee’ who followed all safety protocols. Authorities at the time were investigating the possible spread of the virus in the air and surface.

A CQV spokesman said the agency would undertake a pilot program of the robot at one of the hotels in the coming weeks.

“We are currently considering options to install additional CCTV cameras at quarantine hotels to enhance current coverage,” the spokesman said.

“CCTV is an important tool for monitoring the compliance and well-being of residents, but it will not replace the role currently provided by CQV officials for residential support in floor monitoring. We are always looking for ways to improve and strengthen the quarantine program, including how technology can play a role within the quarantine system. ”

Although all hotels in the hotel quarantine program have some degree of circuit television, not all floors are equipped with cameras.

The government has previously indicated that it does not intend to install security cameras on every floor, despite Queensland authorities demanding that all floors in their hotel scheme have CCTV after a group at the Hotel Grand Chancellor was declared .

Monjon said the robots could provide a floor monitoring service to minimize worker exposure to returning travelers who tested positive for COVID-19 or were at risk of becoming infected.

Mr. Goudsblom said the robots are equipped with 360-degree cameras, microphones, speakers and sensors to monitor a variety of situations and to provide real-time information to Victoria police officers and security guards on the premises.

They are able to identify workers, check that they are wearing appropriate personal protective equipment and take their temperature.

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The robots can also monitor the floors and see if guests are not opening their doors. If they detect violations or deviations, the technology can send an alert to authorized officers, including the police, on the spot to enforce the rules, Mr. Goudsblom said.

“Instead of having 15 or 20 police officers or security guards to monitor each floor, you will have five that are at the hotel quarantine that can be easily dispatched,” he said.

However, CQV has confirmed that it will not use the floor monitoring technology.

Under Victoria’s reappointed hotel quarantine system, Victoria police have taken the lead on safety and management in an effort to prevent a recurrence of the failures that led to the deadly second wave of the coronavirus pandemic.

Police have since expressed concern about their resources and told a parliamentary committee on Tuesday that 25 police stations were temporarily closed to the public at one stage due to a lack of staff.