A year of quarantine watch

As Victorians continue to depend on police and protective services officers (PSOs) during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, Operation Tidewatch officers have been leading the way in stopping the spread.

Tidewatch is Victoria Police’s operation to carry out supervision, enforcement and compliance duties at all quarantine and health hotels, and, despite having recently racked up 100,000 shifts, its officers have never returned a positive coronavirus (COVID-19) test.

Superintendent Paul Margetts said the entire Operation Tidewatch command team was “extremely proud” of all those involved.

“All police and PSOs deployed to Operation Tidewatch undertake daily testing, which means we’ve had a total of 45,000 tests so far and we are very happy to say they have all been negative,” Supt Margetts said.

“The discipline and diligence of the entire Tidewatch workforce — police, PSOs and Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel — has been outstanding.”

Supt Margetts said Operation Tidewatch hosts up to 250 police, PSOs and ADF every Monday for induction and training that is focussed on the coronavirus (COVID-19) health risks and infection prevention and control.

“This includes detailed training for correct donning and doffing procedures, and personal protective equipment training is provided by expert health service providers,” Supt Margetts said.

“This high-level of training and induction, combined with the buy-in and commitment from the workforce, is the reason for the success.”

Through Operation Tidewatch, Victoria Police supports the lead agency COVID-19 Quarantine Victoria (CQV) in managing returning international travellers at 11 quarantine hotels, one complex care hotel, one health hotel (where COVID-positive/ symptomatic travellers stay), one secure COVID recovery facility and one frontline worker hotel.

At any one time, there are up to 650 police and PSOs working at these locations and they are provided logistics support by 178 ADF personnel.

More than 48,000 returning international travellers have been through the program. Supt Margetts praised the teamwork and collaboration of Victoria Police employees in their work during Operation Tidewatch with other organisations such as CQV, ADF,

Department of Health, Alfred Health, Health Services Australia, dnata, Australian Border Force, Australian Federal Police and SkyBus.

“The multi-disciplined expertise and teamwork from all the agencies involved has helped us maintain security over the virus,” he said.

Image Watchful eye Police and PSOs have helped keep more than 48,000 returned international travellers safe while in hotel quarantine.

Quick stats

13 quarantine hotels

48,000 returning international travellers

650 police and PSOs at any one time

45,000 police and PSO tests O positive tests

Editorial: Jesse Wray-McCann

Photography: Grant Condon