Aaron Bunch Journalist with Australian Associated Press | Collection of published work | + 61 484 008 119 | abunch@aap.com.au
Hostel turns away self-isolating tourist
A French tourist was allowed to leave the Brisbane airport without a valid place to self-isolate despite police signing off on her plan to go to a backpackers.
April 2, 2020
Police allowed an interstate traveller to leave the Brisbane airport despite the woman not having a valid place to self-isolate.
French tourist Molinos Oroko, 30, flew from Adelaide to Brisbane on Wednesday after a month working at a Clare Valley vineyard.
She was permitted to leave the airport in the early evening after she told police she had a booking at a youth hostel.
But staff at the backpackers turned Ms Oroko away because the hostel is unable to take bookings from self-isolating guests.
“I really did not understand I would need to self-isolate for 14 days, no one explained this to me,” she told AAP outside the hostel.
“I told them I was coming. They took my booking. I told the police where I was staying. They approved it, but now there is a big problem.”
A worker at the hostel helped Ms Oroko find a hotel that is accepting self-isolating guests after refunding her online payment.
“Luckily I was able to get a room at another place but its much more expensive,” she said as she booked an Uber.
The Queensland Police Service has been contacted for comment.