Victoria’s purpose-built $200 million quarantine facility still has a role to play in the pandemic, experts say, however it won’t be as crucial as anticipated due to high case numbers and vaccination rates.
The Mickleham “centre for national resilience” for incoming travellers won’t be ready until the end of the year, however there is a risk it may become a white elephant if Victoria relaxes quarantine rules.
NSW’s move to effectively end quarantine for most travellers by opening international borders to those who are vaccinated from November 1 has raised questions over the purpose of the facility being built in Melbourne’s north.
Construction on the Mickleham quarantine facility on Thursday. Credit:Joe Armao
The state government has committed to finish building the centre, which could be used to house people fleeing disasters once the pandemic is over. It is being funded by the federal government.
While most travellers will avoid it, the quarantine camp is likely to still have a use for unvaccinated people and those who come from high-risk countries, University of Melbourne epidemiologist Dr Driss Ait Ouakrim said.
There also remains the threat of another variant being introduced from overseas, as happened with Delta.
“They [quarantine centres] are slightly less critical when there is significant virus in the community,” he said.
“That’s the paradox where we are now, it took a lot of time for governments to accept the fact we needed to improve quarantine but the conversation has moved on since then.
Construction continues at Mickleham. Credit:Nine News
“COVID zero has moved on, and we are left with these facilities now.”
Just a few months ago, quarantine was seen as one of the key weapons in stopping an outbreak.
When the state government announced the site of the facility in late April after protracted discussions with the federal government, Victoria had not recorded a day of double-digit COVID infections in nearly five months. Keeping the virus at bay through tough border controls and lockdowns where necessary was still the plan.
The arrival of the Delta variant and the end of the “COVID zero” policy has changed all of that.
As part of its road map to easing restrictions, Victoria could open its international borders to returning citizens and residents within weeks.
Professor Gregory Dore, an epidemiologist at the UNSW Kirby Institute, said quarantine would probably be phased out for most vaccinated travellers by next year.
“The question is what will happen in 2022? Will there be requirements for anyone to quarantine once there are cases throughout Australia and we have very high vaccination coverage?” he said.
“If you look at the international experience, the answer has to be no. Most countries in Europe now, their requirements are the same as those being put in place in NSW.”
The rules might be different Western Australia and Queensland, however, with both states still pursuing elimination of COVID and also building quarantine facilities.
An artist’s impression of what rooms at the facility are expected to look like.
“At least over the coming months, if Victoria follows NSW, it [the Mickleham facility] has a much more limited role than many people envisaged,” he said.
On Friday, Health Minister Martin Foley said the state government was committed to pushing ahead with the new quarantine centre.
“Oh absolutely, [it] will be needed for quite some time,” he said.
“As we get into 2022, we will see people from around the globe wanting to return to Australia, some from very high-risk countries.”
Construction of the facility began in August, with the first 250 beds expected to be open by the start of next year. There is scope to expand the site to 500 and 1000 beds.
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2021-10-16 08:04:00Z
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