An inquiry into the COVID-19 hotel quarantine programme of Victoria has heard that nearly all cases of the second wave of the state originate from only two hotels.
The Doherty Institute ‘s genetic research shows that 99 per cent of the second wave cases have originate from two hotels in Melbourne, a survey of the quarantine debacle heard yesterday.
The investigation into the quarantine bungle, headed by former judge Jennifer Coate, investigates the COVID-19 outbreaks at the Rydges on Swanston Hotel and Stamford Plaza among staff and private security guards.
It has also heard reports of significant weaknesses in training given to guards consisting of a simple 30-minute training session, which experts claim has been more suited to raising consciousness of the general public than anyone who is struggling with the virus.
The inquiry is expected to expose lessons critical to prevent future COVID-19 waves for Victoria and the rest of the country.
The exact names of other witnesses who will be called will not have been made public yet, but will include those who set up hotel quarantine, the staff who worked in the hotels, as well as return travellers who have been stuck inside for two weeks.
Evidence from nurses, security guards, security managers, senior bureaucrats, and ministers is also set to be heard, and Premier Daniel Andrews has indicated that he is willing to speak to the inquiry if he is asked to do so.
The concerns come as Victoria is set to reboot its overseas travellers hotel quarantine programme.