G20 Summit Food Poisoning More Worrying Than Terror Attacks --- Queensland Health
Just days before the G20 summit in Brisbane, Queensland authorities welcomed police officers from various parts of Australia to help secure the city and keep world leaders safe. The upcoming G20 summit hopes to find ways for the world's major economies to grow.
The G20 meetings in the past had angry protesters clashing with police. Ross Barnett, Queensland deputy police commissioner, said the police force is ready to prevent such incidents from happening. More than 6,000 police officers are expected to patrol the city streets during the summit, including those drafted from New Zealand.
According to 9News, at least 3,000 officers will be on the streets with a range of equipment. Aside from the 4,000 delegates set to arrive for the G20 summit, about 3,000 members of the international media are expected in Brisbane. Since it is an international event, officials are also prepared for the arrival of a huge number of protesters.
Meanwhile, Queensland's Chief Health Officer Jeannette Young is not concerned about a terror attack in Brisbane. She said she was more afraid of mass food poisoning at the G20 summit. Three major hospitals in the city have been briefed for the possible arrival of high-profile patients, according to The Australian. The Royal Brisbane, Gold Coast and Women's Hospital were told to prepare for the G20 summit.
Dr Young revealed that Queensland Health had been running training exercises to prepare for the event as Brisbane will be swamped with foreign dignitaries, delegations and journalists. She said the hospitals run simulations of mass outbreak of food poisoning. Queensland Health officials have checked hotel kitchens, catering companies and the food preparation areas involved in the G20 summit. Young said the biggest threat for her was "raw egg mayonnaise."
Reports said many of the world leaders will be bringing their own healthcare teams to the city. Queensland Health provides accreditation to foreign doctors to practice medicine in the country. If a dignitary becomes seriously ill or injured, the patient will have to be treated in a Brisbane hospital. The state health department will have ambulances in the restricted zones during the G20 summit and run a healthcare clinic at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre.