Fremantle Crew in Hotel Quarantine

Three crew members from the COVID-infected ship, BBC California, docked in Fremantle have been successfully transferred to hotel quarantine.

Ten out of the 14 crew members aboard the ship have tested positive to COVID-19. The remaining 4 of the ship’s crew members have been tested with negative results.

A Department of Health statement revealed that “Three crew members who have returned negative results have been transferred to hotel quarantine this morning.”

“The fourth crew member with a negative result will remain onboard because of a critical need for an engineer to be present on the vessel.”

“Protective measures are in place – he will remain isolated in a cabin on a separate deck to everyone else and will use PPE when on deck and in the engine room.”

Several of the crew members on board the BBC California started reporting COVID-like symptoms just a day later, leading the ship’s captain to call for help.

Premier Mark McGowan flagged the hotel quarantine option yesterday.

“One of the options available to us is to take the four negative crew members off the ship and put them in hotel quarantine, in effect to protect them, and then allow for the 10 remaining crew members to ensure that the ship continues to operate and function.”

The ten sick crew members will stay onboard the ship.