For months now, the biggest threat of a fresh COVID outbreak in this country has been the virus leaking out of hotel quarantine - and some experts say poor ventilation and airborne transmission is not being taken as seriously as it should. #abc730

Occupational hygienist Kate Cole is one of more than 30 experts and doctors who signed a letter last week urging the Queensland government to investigate whether the virus was spread through the air in what is known as airborne transmission. #abc730

“When we breathe or talk or sing or shout, we all generate really fine droplets known as aerosols, and they stay in the air for a really long period of time. It’s a significant route of transmission between people, so we can’t ignore it.” – Kate Cole

Many of the quarantine hotels being used in Sydney don’t have opening windows or balconies – and of those that do, @abc730 can reveal some are charging quarantine guests hundreds of dollars extra for access to fresh air. #abc730 https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-01-19/hotel-quarantine-guests-charged-up-to-1400-extra-for-balcony/13067440

“We were told that to have a balcony, it would cost us $100 per night, which came to an overall charge of $1,400 for the two weeks we would spend in quarantine, and that’s what we paid upfront.” – Radha Govil #abc730

“It was explained to me that basically, the hotel had a contract with the government which was just to supply the room facility for quarantine, but that the hotel could charge for anything over and above that, for example for a balcony.” – Radha Govil #abc730

“It's unfair and inconsistent. You don't even get a choice of what hotel you go into, you don't find out until you're on the bus, you don't know until you get there and you're checking in what's available or the cost.” – Eliza Kruger #abc730

“You cannot underestimate the importance of fresh air and you cannot underestimate the impact of airborne transmission of COVID-19.” – Kate Cole #abc730