A state government move to provided hotels for healthcare workers to self-isolate has been welcomed by the Bendigo Motels Association who say businesses would welcome the boost.
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BMA president Charlie Loftus said the announcement by Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews and health minister Jenny Mikakos that hospital workers - both clinical and non-clinical staff - who test positive for coronavirus will be put up in hotels or apartments to self-isolate free of charge was a good decision.
"Its a very good move from the government to be supporting all levels of health care workers," he said.
"It's a great idea for people at front line looking after people and the community. If health worker tests positive, they can go somewhere, and reduce risk.
"I'm glad see them acknowledge cleaners and other auxiliary staff. They're as exposed as anybody and it's good to see them included."
Healthcare workers are currently more likely to be diagnosed with coronavirus than any other workforce.
Mr Andrews' announcement of free accommodation for frontline health workers who need to self-isolate follows on from hotels across the country acting as quarantine spaces for newly arrived or returned travellers.
The Department of Health and Human Services is currently assessing a range of hotels and apartment buildings in Melbourne and regional Victoria that could provide accommodation.
Mr Loftus said the small number of COVID-19 cases in the Bendigo area meant it was unlikely hotels or motels in the region would be utilised for the project.
"I find it a remote chance at the moment it is taken up (in Bendigo) simply because of few cases got but I'm sure there's places that will want to take part," he said.
"I strongly suspect it will be the (accommodation businesses) in close proximity to the hospital. It will be up to individual properties if they want to register and participate. Some may choose not to simply because of the age of the people running the hotel, whether they feel it is right to put them at risk."
"A lot of motels will welcome this with arms. Any business is good business."
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