Australia states investigate COVID-19 spread in quarantine hotels

FILE PHOTO: A worker disposes of waste outside a quarantine hotel where returning travelers are kept in isolation for a period to curb the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Sydney, Australia, August 21, 2020. REUTERS/Loren Elliott

SYDNEY (Reuters) - Two Australian states urged staff and guests in COVID-19 quarantine hotels to get tested immediately and fully self-isolate, launching investigations into three suspected cases of travellers contracting the virus from other residents.

Australia closed its borders to non-citizens and permanent residents more than a year ago to contain the pandemic, and travellers arriving from overseas are required to undergo a two-week hotel quarantine at their own expense.