Coronavirus: Thousands ignore social distancing while queuing at Sydney airport as army arrives

Thousands of people flying into Australia have been shuttled to makeshift quarantine facilities across the country as Australia turns to law-and-order to fight coronavirus.

With two-thirds of the country’s 3,635 cases from or closely linked to overseas travellers, vacant hotels and other accommodation services are being used to ensure no more travellers have a chance to spread the disease.

NSW Police urged friends and families to stay away from Sydney Airport, saying those being quarantined would not be able to see or communicate with their loved ones.

The first group to be ushered out of the airport and onto a bus had just landed from Tokyo.

Queues to get into the departures terminal at Sydney Airport snaked down the street – as people ignored social distancing rules 

Airport staff assisted the most vulnerable passengers after family and friends were urged not to visit the airport

Airport staff assisted the most vulnerable passengers after family and friends were urged not to visit the airport 

The army was called in to help ensure the transition ran smoothly on the first day of the new policies, with returning travellers escorted onto buses for a 14-day quarantine

The army was called in to help ensure the transition ran smoothly on the first day of the new policies, with returning travellers escorted onto buses for a 14-day quarantine 

When asked whether they were shocked by the new rules put in place by Prime Minister Scott Morrison, one woman replied ‘no’.

However, she said she was shocked to see so many army officers patrolling the area.

Sydney man Andrew Cowling went to the airport just to get a fleeting glimpse of his 85-year-old father as he got onto a bus.

Jeffrey, 85, and his wife Judith had no assistance as they carried their luggage onto the standard Sydney metro bus after a 35-hour journey from the United States.  

‘They would be so much safer in their own self-contained flat,’ Mr Cowling told Daily Mail Australia.

‘They’re surround by so many people, there’s such a high risk if he gets it.’

Two young men appeared extra cautious while visiting Sydney airport as they wore masks, gloves, goggles and protective outfits

Two young men appeared extra cautious while visiting Sydney airport as they wore masks, gloves, goggles and protective outfits

Pictured: People ignoring social distancing policies while they queue to enter the airport at Sydney to fly home

Pictured: People ignoring social distancing policies while they queue to enter the airport at Sydney to fly home 

Staff and passengers arriving at Sydney airport took the necessary precautions - including wearing face masks - to reduce their chances of catching COVID-19

Staff and passengers arriving at Sydney airport took the necessary precautions – including wearing face masks – to reduce their chances of catching COVID-19

‘He doesn’t have it – unless he caught it on the flight – but being herded onto a bus is such a high risk situation, it’s just not safe.’ 

Returned travellers will live out their 14 days of quarantine in state-funded hotel rooms, with doors guarded by state police, defence personnel or private security guards.

In Sydney alone, 3,000 people are expected to land on Sunday.

‘We will treat these people with absolute respect and dignity but we will need their support,’ NSW Police Commissioner Mick Fuller said.

‘The 14 days, I am sure, will be a challenge for them and perhaps the food is not up to standard or they feel that the bed is not as comfortable as their own.

A woman and two young children were seen ready to board the bus to the quarantine hotels after touching down in Sydney

A woman and two young children were seen ready to board the bus to the quarantine hotels after touching down in Sydney

Buses lined up ready to take arriving passengers to their 14-day quarantine in hotels throughout Sydney

Buses lined up ready to take arriving passengers to their 14-day quarantine in hotels throughout Sydney

Pictured: A woman holds a small boy's hand as she leaves Sydney airport

Pictured: An official seen boarding a bus

Pictured: A woman holding a child’s hand as they leave Sydney airport, while an official boarded a bus which was taking passengers to their 14 day quarantine hotels

‘They need to understand that we are trying to protect the community of NSW.’

Deputy federal chief medical officer Paul Kelly said the compulsory quarantine was supported by the ‘very best’ medical evidence.

‘Realistically, a vaccine for the coronavirus is many months away. In the meantime, Australians can be reassured we are constantly monitoring COVID-19 developments – both domestically and abroad – and adapting what we do to minimise its spread,’ Dr Kelly said in an opinion piece released on Saturday.

He said that a ‘blanket lockdown’ hadn’t been implemented in Australia because ‘unlike countries such as Italy, Spain and Iran, and cities such as Wuhan in China, we have remained ahead of the curve’.

Meanwhile, private and non-profit hospitals are calling for funding certainty after bans on surgery left them laying off staff.

Hundreds of people were spotted queuing to get inside the departures terminal to catch flights out of Australia

Hundreds of people were spotted queuing to get inside the departures terminal to catch flights out of Australia

Pictured: A person wearing a face mask at Sydney airport

Staff and passengers all wore the protective masks to limit the spread of coronavirus

People arriving in the country were all wearing face masks as they prepared for 14 day coronavirus quarantine

The doctors union also called on government to move urgent and semi-urgent medical care services into private hospitals to free up public hospital capacity for escalating COVID-19 admissions.

The Australian Medical Association also wants governments to reduce barriers to access of surgical masks and other personal protection equipment for hospital workers and other primary carers.

‘Diminishing PPE is a key health workforce challenge that needs to be solved for our healthcare system to keep working. PPE supply must be at the heart of all health sector planning,’ AMA vice-president Chris Zappala said.

Meanwhile, all Australians will be able to consult their GP over the phone and access new coronavirus-specific mental health support under a $1.1 billion package.

The Morrison government is expanding Medicare subsidies for telehealth to the entire population, giving more money to domestic violence and mental health support services, and providing $200 million to charities and community organisations who give emergency relief, such as food banks, and financial counselling.

Fourteen people have died from coronavirus in Australia, including four from one Sydney nursing home.

People were forced to wait in long queues to catch a bus back to the hotels they will call home for the next 14 days

People were forced to wait in long queues to catch a bus back to the hotels they will call home for the next 14 days

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