From YVR to Australia: former TransLink spokesperson documents hotel quarantine experience

VANCOUVER (CityNews) — After leaving Vancouver last week, TransLink’s former spokesperson has been documenting his experience living in hotel quarantine on social media.

@benbmurphDon’t let this flop! #quarantine #hotelquarantine #hotelquarantinesydney #covid #covid19♬ Originalton – M

From secret food eateries to daily calls with a nurse, former Vancouverite Ben Murphy is has been posting how moving across the world during a pandemic has its challenges on TikTok.

After leaving his position at TransLink, Murphy moved back to Australia with his wife.

Once the couple provided proof of a negative COVID test, Murphy and his wife hopped on a mostly empty plane. And when the pair arrived and disembarked, they checked in at a hotel in Sydney, where the military members escorted them to their room.

“We can’t open the door except for groceries if we get them delivered,” Murphy explains.

One of the first things that shocked him though was the price of quarantine.

Two people in hotel isolation with provided food for two weeks comes at the cost of $4,000. But he adds there are payment plan options available to help manage the cost.

There are also daily phone calls with a nurse to see check in on how people are doing as far as their mental health and physical COVID symptoms.

“People start to feel trapped because it is a pretty confined space for two weeks. There is no fresh air and the windows don’t even open. So it can be overwhelming.”

You’re also allowed to purchase extra food and drink through a provided menu or meal delivery services.

Alcohol is limited to a six-pack of beer or one bottle of wine per person per day.

@benbmurphThe wine at the end #fyp #quarantine #hotelquarantine #hotelquarantinesydney #travel #covid♬ Somebody to love Basstrologe Bootleg – mthekyng

But because being stuck in one room for 14 days can get pretty boring, the hotel offers various activities.

“All these sorts of odd contests and competitions we haven’t entered yet but you can be the quarantine king or queen if you dress up in random objects in the room,” he explains.

Murphy and his wife are midway through their isolation and Murphy says he plans to continue making videos about the experience to keep himself busy.