A 19th century quarantine station could be revisiting its historic roots, if proposals being pushed by the AMA to isolate all those with COVID-19 together in dedicated accommodation are adopted.

AMA Tasmania President, Professor John Burgess, is urging Australia take a ‘medi-hotel’ approach to patients with mild to moderate illness.

Under this model, people with confirmed infection could be housed in a dedicated facility, operated by state health officials, instead of in their family homes. 

This would not only ensure they complied with isolation requirements, but would also protect their household members from contracting the disease and drive down community spread of the virus, Professor Burgess said.