Homeless will be moved from streets to $260 five-star hotel rooms to protect them from coronavirus
Homeless people in Australia could be moved from the streets and into five-star hotels in an attempt to prevent the spread of coronavirus.
The West Australian Government has been planning to accommodate homeless people at the Pan Pacific Hotel in Perth for the 'Hotels with Heart' program. There will be around 20 sleepers used during a one-month trial period to house those who cannot self-isolate during the coronavirus pandemic.
A room at the Pan Pacific hotel starts at $170 a night for a deluxe room with the most expensive rooms costing approximately $260 a night. The program can be expanded to be able to accommodate victims of domestic violence and also to those who are suffering from mental health issues should the program be successful.
The program would then use around 120 rooms at the hotel. The news follows reports of a task force being set up to address homelessness during the coronavirus crisis. Community Services Minister Simone McGurk shared that the state government recognizes that there are many groups of people who are vulnerable to coronavirus.
McGurk revealed, "the Hotels with Heart pilot learns from similar initiatives happening interstate and around the world, including in the United Kingdom, America, and Canada. It demonstrates what can be achieved when there is collaboration across the private, community service and government sectors."
She then went on to thank the Pan Pacific Perth for 'stepping forward' during the crisis. "With the help of community service organizations, this initiative will take the pressure off the health system in Western Australia and potentially help to flatten the curve as the state fights to stop the spread of COVID-19," she shared.
"The Hotels with Heart pilot also aims to sustain our hotel sector for when the COVID‑19 threat is eliminated," she added. On Monday, March 30, the state government shared that they will be expanding coronavirus testing to any member of the community with a fever and acute respiratory illness.
Health Minister Roger Cook shared that around 84% of WA's confirmed cases have been linked to overseas travel or cruise ships.
WA's Chief Health Officer Andrew Robertson shared, "We've seen a continuing drop of new cases. That is part of the reason that we will look at expanded testing, just to ensure that we are picking up cases that might be in the community," Daily Mail reports.
Recently, Australia's health minister Greg Hunt said that the coronavirus growth rate in the country has shown some signs of slowing down after the government forced lockdown.
"This progress is early, it's significant, but now, with these additional rules around gatherings and movement, we are going to take the next step to help reduce the level of infection, and to support our containment," Greg Hunt shared.
He added that over 23,000 tests have been carried out across the country. According to Johns Hopkins University, as of March 31, 4,550 recorded cases have been confirmed positive with a majority being from New South Wales. There have been 18 deaths so far.