No fresh air: Today show hosts clash with young mum in hotel quarantine
An Australian mum in isolation with her young sons at a Brisbane hotel came head-to-head with the hosts of Today show in a tense interview.
Sarah Greig and her two sons were placed in quarantine at the Novotel Hotel in Brisbane after arriving from Jakarta on Sunday. The family will remain in mandatory isolation for two weeks.
Greig told hosts Allison Langdon and Karl Stefanovic she and other travellers stuck in the same situation are unable to access fresh air or go outside.
“I think the best thing for us right now is for the Australian public to understand that nobody is complaining about conditions of the hotel,” Greig said.
“We’ve got fresh, clean sheets, we’ve got running water, all of those things are fantastic but we don’t have access to fresh air.
“We just want a solution to be able to get access to sunlight and fresh air. I don’t think that’s being unreasonable in any way, shape or form. I certainly don’t think that that makes us whingers.”
Greig added that she would welcome safety measures such as wearing protective clothing while outside.
“I would wear a garbage bag over my body to be allowed some fresh air and sunlight right now. I am very concerned about that, don’t get me wrong, but there has got to be a solution to us going outside.”
There is growing anger among the thousands of Aussies forced into isolation in hotels around the country, with some saying they're being treated like prisoners. #9Today pic.twitter.com/ccPRPDBQb1
— The Today Show (@TheTodayShow) April 1, 2020
Langdon said self-isolation is a “price worth paying” for overseas travellers to help limit the spread of the coronavirus.
“Unfortunately, we’re in the middle of a global pandemic. This the price you and the boys unfortunately have to pay which is two weeks in self-isolation but in the grand scheme of things, if this means keeping everyone healthy, is it not a price worth paying?” Langdon said.
Greig responded, “I was asked to come on air today to speak to you about finding solutions to get us some fresh air. That was what I was coming on air to speak to you about today, not to whinge about any of the things you just said to me.”
More than 5,000 returning overseas travellers are under quarantine in hotels and accommodation around the country.
The measure was started on Saturday by the National Cabinet.
NSW Police Commissioner Mick Fuller said he is working to address the concerns raised by those under hotel isolation. “I know there are people who are posting on social media their dissatisfaction … some complaints are reasonable and we will deal with those,” he said.
“We shouldn’t frame everyone in these hotels as people who are ungrateful because it certainly is not the case.”