Managing guest health in hotel quarantine

GPs are making an important contribution to that care. While in hotel quarantine, returned travellers require easy access to COVID-19 related healthcare, non-COVID-19 healthcare, and mental health and wellbeing services. Metro North Public Health Unit has been responsible for liaison with a range of services for returned travellers in quarantine, provided by the hospital and health service, by general practices and by other agencies.

1. COVID-19 healthcare

All returned travellers are contacted throughout their quarantine to offer channels for obtaining help, to ask about their general health and wellbeing, and to screen for symptoms of COVID-19.

Usually this will occur around day three, day eight and day 12 of their 14-day hotel quarantine period.

If returned travellers develop COVID-19 symptoms they are required to report these symptoms. They are clinically assessed, a COVID-19 test is facilitated

if indicated, and their accommodation for illness care managed. If a return traveller has symptoms that are life threatening or urgent, the advice is that they call 000, and are managed by the Hospital Fever Clinic. If symptoms are milder, they are directed to notify reception, and are managed by the Mobile Fever Clinic accessible on site.

Because of the higher risk of exposure, COVID-19 testing as a screening procedure has recently been introduced for this group. If a returned traveller does not develop any COVID-19 symptoms they are still required to have COVID-19 testing between day 9–12 of their hotel quarantine period, to facilitate their release.

2. Non COVID-19 healthcare

If returned travellers require routine healthcare, such as access to prescriptions, monitoring known health conditions and/or assessment of a new health condition (non COVID-19), they are encouraged to arrange a telehealth appointment with a GP. They are asked to let their doctor know they are in hotel quarantine, and that COVID testing is available on site.

While in hotel quarantine, returned travellers have avenues to obtain prescription and non-prescription medications. A GP can fax a script to the closest chemist/pharmacy that will deliver to the relevant hotel. Access to pathology services is limited, and non-urgent pathology should be delayed where possible.

If the returned traveller’s GP decides that an urgent medical review, pathology and/or treatment is required, the advice is to call Triple Zero and arrange transfer to Hospital. Please let 000 know that the returned traveller is in hotel quarantine.

3. Mental health and wellbeing

Returned travellers are being directed to various counselling and support phone lines including Red Cross, Lifeline and the Beyond Blue Coronavirus Mental Wellbeing Support Service. If acute issues arise, returned travelers are directed to the Acute Care Mental Health service.

4. Useful resources

For specific queries regarding the provision of healthcare for a returned traveller in Metro North hotel quarantine call the Metro North Public Health Unit switchboard on 07 3624 1111 and ask to speak to the Quarantine Release Team Nurse.

For more information visit www.bnphn.org/QH-quarantine.