Woman barred from visiting her dying mother
Image: Sunrise
Western Australian health officials have cancelled an approved visit for a woman to say goodbye to her dying mother.
Andrea McCourt had been granted an exemption to enter WA after flying in from Texas and was in hotel quarantine when the farewell was scrapped with just 34 minutes notice.
Ms McCourt’s trip to visit her mother’s retirement village was cancelled at the last-minute due to COVID-19 concerns after a hotel quarantine guard tested positive for the virus.
“I sincerely regret to inform you that following thoughtful consideration, the WA Health Incident Controller has this morning withdrawn support for today’s visit due to increasing concerns regarding the public health risk associated with your visitation request,” an email from health officials read
“Accordingly, you will not be permitted to temporarily depart hotel quarantine today.”
The emails admits officials know the decision would be “extremely disheartening” but was not made “lightly or without comprehension.”
“Moreover, I apologise for the untimely notice, however due to the unpredictable and everchanging nature of COVID-19 pandemic and broader quarantine system it is not possible to foresee such events,”
Andrea told 7NEWS that she feels like she has been “treated like a criminal” over the ordeal.
“I haven’t even had the heart to call mum this morning and say sorry we can’t come and visit you, because we don’t want her to go downhill,” she said on Wednesday.