Mark McGowan says Mercure Hotel quarantine breach an ‘accident’ amid claims guard doesn’t speak English

Premier Mark McGowan has attempted to play down a quarantine breach at the Mercure Hotel, calling the incident in which a security guard barged into a guest’s room — allegedly in search of a TV remote — an “accident” and “human error”. It comes as the Halls Head couple occupying the room, Rob and Rosemary, claim the guard repeatedly said “no English, no English” after entering unannounced around 9pm on Saturday. “The way I look at things, if you are paid to be looking after people in quarantine you should be able to speak the language,” Rob said, also questioning how the man had been trained for the role if he was unable to communicate in English. A Health Department spokeswoman said all WA security officers were required to complete a Certificate II TAFE course delivered in English, as well as pass a police licensing test, also in English, “to ensure their knowledge is of an acceptable standard in the industry”. Rob claimed he and Rosemary were watching television at the time of the incident and were left stunned when the guard entered without knocking, walking into the room without a mask before quickly leaving when confronted. After demanding to speak with a supervisor, Rob said he was informed the security guard claimed to have entered what he thought was an empty room in search of a TV remote. “They said the guy was getting COVID tested, going into quarantine for two weeks and would then be retrained,” Rob said. Asked about the incident this afternoon, Mr McGowan said the guard “went to the wrong room” and had “stood at the door” — a version of events questioned by Rob. “Our television was on full blast and the guard walked right into the room, he didn’t just stand at the door. The Premier is playing it right down but he wasn’t there — I was there and I know what happened,” Rob said. Mr McGowan said he had no knowledge about the guard’s ability to speak English but confirmed the man had been tested and placed in into quarantine, as had anyone he had been in close contact with. “He went to the wrong room. It was an accident. It was a human error,” Mr McGowan said. “It was, in the overall scheme of things, a very minor error and a very minor mistake and we've taken all precautions to make sure that the people involved are tested and checked.” Breaches of hotel quarantine in Melbourne are responsible for the massive second wave of coronavirus infections currently engulfing Victoria. “Obviously, (the Health Department) is very aware of what has gone on in Melbourne in terms of security,” the Premier said. “That's why they have the strictest of protocols and the strictest of training. That's why we have health officials on duty at the hotels at all times. “That's why at the suggestion of the Prime Minister, we took up the offer of (Australian Defence Force) personnel. We're doing everything we can to keep people safe.”

Mark McGowan says Mercure Hotel quarantine breach an ‘accident’ amid claims guard doesn’t speak English

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