Australian Reports of the Virus Spread

[nutwood]

I know precovid both JQ and VA had SYD-LST services.
The JQ service annoyed me as the aircraft would fly MCY-SYD then SYD-LST.Of course I could not fly MCY-LST as they wanted me to pickup the bag in SYD and re check it on the SYD-LST service.Seeing I was going to work at least 2 months HCO just wouldn't work for me.
But I did use the VA service a couple of times.

I used to use Jetstar LST - SYD. Tried the other direction a couple of times but the Jetstar check in zoo at Sydney was too much for me. I can well see why you wouldn't be keen on having to do the bag drop bit, just to transit!

 

[Flying mermaid]

Elective surgery can continue and people are encouraged to still attend GPs and emergency departments

 

[Pushka]

Listening to Andrews he seems to be speaking with tone that suggests a stronger and more directive message. Hope it works

 

[lovetravellingoz]

Has anyone heard anything about the situation with Melbourne airport? Out of Tasmania, we have no choice but to pass through Melbourne, regardless of our final destination. Logically, one would expect some sort of transit permit. I'm thinking they may cut back flights out of Melbourne but they'll cause some big issues with freight if they cancel entirely.

Flights are being cut back and not stopped entirely. So there will be quite minimal flights. Essential workers and other permit holders will still be allowed to fly.

With freight there are flights that are freight only, and others with pax as well. I would imagine that the international freighters will keep coming in as they have operated throughout the pandemic.

No knowledge of transit, so assume will be ok though less flights. You might find the airlines start flying to say SYD and you transit via there rather than MEL since flights to all other states and territories will be happening.

 

[lovetravellingoz]

Are we talking full Melbourne lockdown?

Greater Metropolitan Melbourne Area plus Mitchell Shire.

GMMA does not include Geelong for example.


If they stick to the normal GMMA then my 88 year old Dads 30 acre property has that on his western boundary fence. ie he is just outside the boundary. Mind you he has not been visiting, attending clubs etc anyway.


PS: It is people's principal place of residence only. Last time those with holiday homes could still use them. This has been specifically ruled out this time. Importantly it also stops people migrating for 6 weeks to another location.

 

[lovetravellingoz]

Note that it is back to no visitors at all. Visitors to family homes was a key problem in the northern suburbs.

 

[Lynda2475]

Ive defnitely flownfrom SYD - HBA direct, so i dont think it is true that all Tas flights go via MEL. And with MEL a no go im sure QF/VA will do direct flights from elsewhere if there is any demand. They are already talking about having Spirit of Tas ferry services running from Sydney instead of Melbourne for next couple of months.

Im surprised Andrews didnt just do a statewide ruling, given the number of people that travel between Geelong and Melbourne each day for work, seems silly to exclude Geelong from the lockdown - that is asking for trouble.

 

[lovetravellingoz]

Im surprised Andrews didnt just do a statewide ruling, given the number of people that travelbetween Geelong and Melbourne each day, seems silly to exclude Geelong from the lockdown - that is asking for trouble.

Though Greater Geelong has had very few cases. Plus people from Melbourne cannot now go to Geelong, and Geelong people cannot visit homes in Melbourne and so this will mean less mixing as well.

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If any other location spikes up they will no doubt get added. With holiday homes being banned this time there will be less city/country mixing.

 

[Gremlin]

Has anyone heard anything about the situation with Melbourne airport? Out of Tasmania, we have no choice but to pass through Melbourne, regardless of our final destination. Logically, one would expect some sort of transit permit. I'm thinking they may cut back flights out of Melbourne but they'll cause some big issues with freight if they cancel entirely.

I read earlier today - sorry, can't find the reference, been looking at a lot of different sources - that transit pax through MEL will not be required to quarantine for some destinations as long as they don't leave the airport. Other states not so lucky. Best to check with your arriving state.

 

[nutwood]

Ive defnitely flownfrom SYD - HBA direct, so i dont think it is true that all Tas flights go via MEL. And with MEL a no go iM sure QF/VA will do direct flights form elsewhere if there is any demand. Theya re already talking about havine Spirit of Tas ferry services running from Syney instead of Melb for next couple of months.

Im surprised Andrews didnt just do a statewide ruling, given the number of people that travelbetween Geelong and Melbourne each day, seems silly to exclude Geelong from the lockdown - that is asking for trouble.

As far as I can tell, since COVID restrictions commenced, all Tasmanian flights have been routing through Melbourne. Until recently, there were only two flights a week LST-MEL. This has now increased to five. It would make sense if they simply re-arranged it to be LST-SYD but I suspect it may not be as simple as that.

 

[dajop]

I know people have concerns what this means for transitting MEL airport. My transit concern in more local, I've been transiting Melbourne via train occasionally to travel between Geelong and Bendigo. I think I'll be hiring a car if I need to do the journey now to avoid Melbourne completely. But that's obviously not an option for someone travelling from Tasmania!

 

[Lynda2475]

Though Greater Geelong has had very few cases. Plus people from Melbourne cannot now go to Geelong, and Geelong people cannot visit homes in Melbourne and so this will mean less mixing as well

I know several people living in Geeelong that commute to work in Melbourne CBD everyday - and since travel for work is still allowed I think the risk remains.

 

[CityRail]

I know several people living in Geeelong that commute to work in Melbourne CBD everyday - and since travel for work is still allowed I think the risk remains.

Say for the university where I study - Deakin University, there will definitely students and staff commuting between Burwood Campus and Geelong campus. I wonder how they will be able to curb these essential travels so that the spread is being minimal?

 

[lovetravellingoz]

I know several people living in Geeelong that commute to work in Melbourne CBD everyday - and since travel for work is still allowed I think the risk remains.

There is always risk. Question is how much risk. Where do their workmates live? Are they physical distancing? If the CBD, do they really need to be there rather than work from home? If one can work at home, then you are meant to do so.

We could shut the whole state down, but that also has problems. With so few cases in Greater Geelong that would seem to be unnecessary pain for little gain.

If cases ramp up, then close. But if not then why lockdown.


Remember to that family gatherings has been the main problem. Geelong people can no longer visit family or indeed friends in Melbourne.

With respect to workplaces there has been little workplace spread. If you look at office workers it is extremely rare. It has mainly been abattoirs, distribution centres, McDonalds... and unfortunately the lax hotel security guards.

So people commuting from Geelong to Melbourne CBD will mainly not be in those workplaces.

 

[nutwood]

I read earlier today - sorry, can't find the reference, been looking at a lot of different sources - that transit pax through MEL will not be required to quarantine for some destinations as long as they don't leave the airport. Other states not so lucky. Best to check with your arriving state.

That sounds hopeful. I checked with the P1 SST this afternoon and they rang the Melbourne airport duty manager but there was no clear answer.

 

[dajop]

I know several people living in Geeelong that commute to work in Melbourne CBD everyday - and since travel for work is still allowed I think the risk remains.

I was dropped off at Waurn Ponds station last Thursday, and picked up yesterday at Lara Station (during the middle of the day), not sure in "normal times" how full the car parks are at both stations during the midfle of weekdays, but from what I observed they were < 20% full. That could however just mean people have switched to commuting by car, rather than train.

 

[CityRail]

There is always risk. Question is how much risk. Where do their workmates live? Are they physical distancing? If the CBD, do they really need to be there rather than work from home?

They should be working from home if they can, and I know Victoria is doing well in fining employers not to let employees to work from home when they can.

But I understand there could be a lot of exceptional cases, for example for someone who lives in Geelong but go to Weribee Woolworths to pack up the shelves definitely cannot work from home.

What I am worried about is the economic impact of the lockdown for the second largest economy in Australia. If the lockdown is for 6 weeks and it will take about 3 months to safely open to Step 3, then I am afraid there is a need for JobKeeper to extend to at least December, as I cannot see much international travel can resume before then and it will be damaging to Australian economy.

 

[dajop]

Do you think we'll ever get to the point where those returning positive tests will be removed from the community (into enforced isolation, not the North Korean version of removed .)? The whole exercise is largely of good faith that people will do the right thing. And it has been proven time and time again over the last 3-4 months that whilst the vast majority of people will do the right thing, there's a small, but not insignificant minority that do not and will never do the right thing, for whatever reason.

 

[Pushka]

Do you think we'll ever get to the point where those returning positive tests will be removed from the community (into enforced isolation, not the North Korean version of removed .)? The whole exercise is largely of good faith that people will do the right thing. And it has been proven time and time again over the last 3-4 months that whilst the vast majority of people will do the right thing, there's a small, but not insignificant minority that do not and will never do the right thing, for whatever reason.

Way back at the beginning - February - every positive person was isolated in hospital. Discussed this with SIL who is in Casualty in a large public hospital and at that time I was very surprised that soon people who were positive would be sent home to isolate. Now, as you say, people don't do the right thing but even if they wanted to, and they live with their family, then what the heck were they supposed to do? I know our current living situation would be problematic as we only have one set of bathroom facilities plus the kitchen. It's hardly a surprise that this is happened at all. Surprised it didn't happen earlier.

 

[Hvr]

Im surprised Andrews didnt just do a statewide ruling, given the number of people that travel between Geelong and Melbourne each day for work, seems silly to exclude Geelong from the lockdown - that is asking for trouble.

The regional areas have been campaigning strongly to be excluded from what they see as a 'city' problem.

As long as the numbers remain low to non-existent outside of GMMA then excluding regional areas is viable.

But as soon as infection numbers rise in other areas then I foresee that very strict measures will be implemented.

I have the greatest empathy for the people isolating in the tower blocks. Those people will be going it tough.