We are getting a three day taste of what the UK has been going through for months. Total lockdown for three days.
Sprung on us at c 8:30am to commence at 6pm. Major stupidity ensued with people flocking out of town, defeating the whole purpose of the lockdown by potentially spreading the virus far and wide, despite people who have been in the region since 2nd Jan being told they must self isolate and stay home (or wherever they currently are) for three days. I am sure that anyone who left town on Friday between 8:30 am and 6pm has no intention of self isolating in a hotel for three days.
Shops predictably stripped bare despite the fact that we are allowed out for shopping as usual. Unbelievable. I really have my doubts about the human race at times like this.
We are allowed to leave home for the usual essential reasons and always wearing a mask when out of the house - this was not a requirement last lockdown. I suspect it is so there are no grey areas about when and where masks are required.
We had had no community transmissions for over 100 days - until this one person (a cleaner at a covid quarantine hotel) was out about in the community for five days before testing positive. She has the UK variant so therefore major panic due to it being much more transmissible. They had something like 70 close contacts within that time, and went to several shops where I often go (though I haven’t been there for several weeks) and my daughter goes (though wasn’t there at the same time as this person).
Another person with the UK variant travelled from the UK to Melbourne, tested positive in hotel quarantine, was let out after ten days due to no longer showing symptoms, but not re tested, caught flight to Brisbane, travelled to her parents 90k north of Brisbane .... due to her having had the UK variant retesting is happening now just to be sure. They say she is no longer infectious, but in the days to come we shall see. I presume changes will and should now follow to prevent anyone leaving quarantine before they test negative. This used to be done but was stopped. Needs to be reintroduced.
These three days of lockdown are presumably to allow contact tracers to do their thing and discern the extent of any transmission. I haven’t heard any updates, but have my suspicions that we are not being told the full story as yet. I wouldn’t be surprised if it was extended beyond three days ....
New restrictions eg mandatory mask wearing now introduced Australia wide for all airline travel - and about time. Covid tests also required prior to departure for any international travellers bound for Australia - and about time for that as well. Reduction in numbers of international travellers allowed into NSW - also good. Any workers in hotel quarantine or related to travellers such as transport staff to have covid tests daily rather than weekly. Good.
Most of my Friday was taken up with following the news and marvelling at the sheer stupidity of some people, and also looking after daughter’s dog. Took my dog for a quick walk before the 6pm mask free cut off time.
I feel some binge watching TV series in the next couple of days. Currently watching the seconds series of “Jamestown” - something a bit different, lots of plotting, baddies, violence and romance - something for everyone.
The weather has been cooler, around 22 -27, grey with occasional drizzle. A lovely change from our recent humid 35 degree days.