Monday 1 June 2020 and the penultimate day of our two week mandatory quarantine in Sydney. We’ve used this time wisely and prepared a Trip Summary and a set of Frequently Asked Questions about the last ten months around the world. Enjoy!
For those interested in the quarantine experience, here’s how it works.
Incoming travellers are provided information regarding quarantine on the flight. Upon landing an initial screening is conducted - a temperature check and some questions regarding symptoms.
Passengers are loaded onto buses by military personnel and transported to the quarantine location. We were offered a twin queen or king room, before being registered by the NSW police and assisted to our allocated room by military personnel.
A table is placed in front of the door, upon which breakfast, lunch and dinner are placed. Menus take into account dietary needs and change daily.
Limited drinks and snacks can be ordered from room service, and an outside food order is permitted once per day. Delivery slots can also be arranged for online grocery shopping. Care packages can be received from family and friends but must not include dangerous or perishable goods.
Towels are replaced every three days, bed sheets weekly and crockery, dishwashing liquid, a small fridge and kettle are provided.
A 24/7 security guard on each floor confirms those under quarantine remain in their rooms and alerts police in the lobby of any escape attempts.
A nurse in the hotel telephones daily to confirm wellbeing and checks any COVID-related symptoms. Volunteers from the Australian Red Cross also telephone to check on welfare.
On Day 10 a test for current COVID infection is conducted as a precursor to release on Day 14.
Wristbands are provided after a final health check allowing release on the 14th day.
Here’s how it feels: it is undoubtedly a slightly peculiar experience to be confined to a single room in this way, even after our several weeks in self-isolation. We feel well-prepared, having grown accustomed to coexisting in close proximity 24/7.
We’ve had no issue with the food and haven’t felt the need to order something in. We are enjoying the reasonably-sized meals after the US, where portions can be epic.
The greatest challenge is the confinement and lack of exercise. We are tackling this with a daily yoga regime courtesy of Youtube.
We felt well looked-after throughout and appreciate quarantine comes at no cost to the traveller, excluding any extra food ordered. At all steps of the process personnel have been personable and considerate.
So we’re pleased to have a clean bill of health, if not confirmation of whether my flu in New York in February was COVID or not. It once again seems the biggest risk comes from others so it will be weird to be moving around in a community where no-one is wearing masks!