COVID-19: Goodbye Christmas in Adelaide

With a significant outbreak of COVID-19 in the northern beaches of New South Wales, – currently standing at 83 cases (as of 21 December) all other states in Australia have slammed closed their land and air borders in one way or another.

Australia has dealt very well with the pandemic, with major cooperation from Australians in embracing COVID-19 related restrictions to reduce transmission of the virus.

In Europe, UK or the USA – this outbreak would not even be newsworthy. But because Australia has been so good at controlling the virus within its borders, this outbreak is newsworthy so that it can be contained, dealt with, and overcome.

Airlines – flight cancellations

Qantas, Jetstar and Virgin Australia are cancelling their flights left right and center today and I would expect that trend to continue through until Christmas.

State Border Restrictions

Most restrictions involve those leaving NSW spending 14 days in quarantine if arriving in another state. Some states are even harsher like Western Australia who won’t accept any arrivals from NSW.

The border and health advice changes constantly, so you are best to view this consolidated information and links on the Commonwealth Governments Health website. You may have to scroll down a bit, and sorry for the consumer unfriendliness of the information. You can find individual state links in this outdated previous post on the subject.

Christmas for me in Adelaide is off

I was hoping to spend my Christmas in Adelaide with my wider family, but I’ve just cancelled the flights and accommodation, since we can’t go there without going into 14 days of quarantine.

Don’t worry about me – I ‘ll be OK, spending it with my husband’s family here in Sydney.

2PAXfly Takeout

This is another timely reminder to wear your seatbelt when seated. Holding you close to your seat will protect you from the sort of injuries sustained on this flight, when unsecured passengers flew to the ceiling of the aircraft, and then came crashing down once the ‘drop’ ceased.

The hope will be that this is an anomaly – a ‘freak accident’ in casual parlance. If it is a systemic error either mechanical or electronic, then this is a larger concern for the airlines that fly Boeing Dreamliner 787 aircraft. Let’s hope it isn’t. If it is, it will pile on the woes to Boeing’s existing stack.

This outbreak on the Northern Beaches of Sydney is discombobulating for all of us here in Sydney and New South Wales. It will disrupt numerous Christmas arrangements especially for residents of New South Wales, and their families all lover Australia who they will not be able to visit.

I feel especially for our house guest, who having just come out of 14 days quarantine after arriving from the UK , looks like he might have to spend another 14 days in quarantine to see his immediate relatives.

Just goes to show there is always someone who is worse off than you.