Hotel Quarantine FAQs
Victorian Hotel Quarantine Program Frequently Asked Questions
Further to our original public statement, we would like to answer some frequently asked questions regarding our involvement in the Victorian Hotel Quarantine Program.
Was Wilson Security involved in the Victorian Hotel Quarantine Program?
Yes. These services were completed on Sunday 5 July 2020.
Did Wilson Security provide services at any of the six hotels named by the Judicial Inquiry?
No. Wilson Security can confirm it did not provide services for any of the six hotels named as being of interest to the Judicial Inquiry: Rydges on Swanston, Stamford Plaza, Travelodge Melbourne, Park Royal Melbourne Airport, Holiday Inn, and Four Points Sheraton.
Have Wilson Security guards tested positive for Covid-19?
We are not aware of any COVID-19 cases amongst any of our people as a result of working on the hotel quarantine program.
We believe this is a direct reflection of the control measures and management structure we had in place.
Is Wilson Security taking part in the Victorian Hotel Quarantine Program Judicial Inquiry?
Yes, we are supporting the Inquiry and we are fully cooperating with any and all requests.
How was Wilson Security appointed to do this work?
Wilson Security is one of only five current security providers of the SPC (State Purchase Contract) Victorian Government supplier panel and has retained this position for close to 15 years, providing services to and on behalf of the state government.
Throughout this period, Wilson Security has met all prerequisites, compliance and probity requirements in order to continue providing services and be appointed for work from the State Government of Victoria.
Did Wilson Security use subcontractors or guards from other firms as part of the hotel quarantine program?
Yes, Wilson Security used a combination of direct employees and contracted security labour, due to the need to mobilise operations on 48 hours’ notice, and services confirmed for 14-day periods. This was permitted and outlined in the Purchase Order Contract, and the Victorian Government were notified of this.
We were able to source additional resources from the aviation and hospitality industries in accordance with Victorian Government employment initiatives, providing employment opportunities to security personnel who otherwise would not have been working due to the impacts of Covid-19.
Did Wilson Security supply guards with PPE?
Wilson Security sourced, and continuously supplied PPE for the entire duration of the hotel quarantine program for all staff, including employees and contractors. We provided PPE over and above the requirements specified.
From the beginning of the program, based on independent medical advice, we mandated that every security officer must wear PPE whilst on shift and we refused to compromise on this company policy.
All Wilson Security staff had to complete a declaration at the beginning of every shift, confirming that they had access to PPE.
Did Wilson Security guards receive any specific training before starting work in the quarantine hotels?
Wilson Security provided all personnel – employees and contractors – the same levels of training.
Our staff shift briefings and guidance materials covered essential safety and infection control measures in line with government and independent medical advice, and were also delivered based on Departmental updates.
All staff were also required to complete the government COVID-19 online training.
Did Wilson Security have any infection control measures in place at the hotels?
Yes, in addition to ensuring the correct use of PPE and appropriate social distancing, we had many robust procedures in place.
Wilson Security required all staff to complete a daily declaration of fitness, and implemented temperature checking of all staff at the beginning of every shift.
Further, Wilson Security did not permit staff to work across other hotels or sites to avoid any unintentional threats to our infection control measures.
We also provided meals to all Wilson Security staff working in the hotel quarantine program to prevent guards having to leave the hotel and potentially compromise infection control measures, and provided parking to ensure staff did not need to catch public transport.
What supervision was given to the guards working at these hotels?
At our own cost, Wilson Security provided extra layers of specialized supervision for every shift.
There were dedicated Site Managers at each hotel, and senior Managers in our Specialist Risk and Group HSE team available on every Wilson Security shift supporting the operation. These roles were filled by management employees with years of experience in assessing and managing risk in complex situations.
All of these actions, and more, were instrumental in Wilson Security having no confirmed cases of COVID-19 across Victorian hotels we provided services for.
