Mickleham’s quarantine hub has opened.
The Donnybrook Road facility opened on Monday, February 21, providing accommodation for unvaccinated travellers.
According to the state government, the hub will be able to accommodate 1000 people by April.
As well as unvaccinated travellers, the facility can accommodate eligible community members who are COVIDpositive but cannot isolate at home, such as healthcare workers, the government said.
It could also operate as emergency accommodation after natural disasters, and it will be critical in any future pandemics.
The hub is made up of cabin-style accommodation with entry and exit points via outdoor decks, so the virus cannot spread through shared corridors and other internal spaces.
The accommodation is split up across four separate and secure villages, with all services and amenities delivered directly onsite to limit any unnecessary internal or external movement.
The site will be managed by COVID-19 Quarantine Victoria, with Victoria Police providing perimeter security.
CQV has commenced onsite training and orientation for approximately 560 staff.
Police Minister Lisa Neville said: “The Omicron variant has shown us we must continue to be flexible in our pandemic response – and the purpose-built Victorian Quarantine Hub will be vital to how we manage pandemics today and into the future.”
CQV Commissioner Emma Cassar said: “The hub’s open-air setting will eliminate many of the challenges of hotel quarantine, with standalone cabins allowing for a constant flow of fresh air and no shared ventilation systems among residents.”
