Australian Reports of the Virus Spread

[Must...Fly!]

I think you'll find the security doesn't just relate to physical protection in this instance, it would be principally in relation to intelligence side of things, or a phrase they love to trot out "matters of national security."

Agree. This is a reasonable exemption to me given the sensitivities of his position.

 

[Lynda2475]

His devices would be encrypted protecting sensitive communications, as he is usually based off shore - being in a nice house is only giving him greater comfort and costing tax payers more. Debatable whether a Senior Exec not involved in day to day build activities even needs to here at all.

If not for the exemption drawing public attention to his presence he could have been safer as just another anonymous HQ guest.

 

[sinophile888]

If so, Mrs Ric and I will go without CPAPs for the 14 days quarantine!

I don't think you will feel very well if you don't use your cpap machines for 14 days. Surely cpap machines aren't in the same category as nebulisers.

 

[Lynda2475]

Surely cpap machines aren't in the same category as nebulisers.

News reports suggest they are.

Not sure authorities will trust that you won't use portable cpap machine. If it is in your possession on arrival, you will likely be directed to Health Hotel not sure if you can surrender it for period of HQ and retrieve on release.

 

[bcworld]

I was wondering about the impact of the pre-flight testing requirement that came into force on 22 Jan.

Scrolling through the numbers....so nothing scientific...it does seem to have trended to more 'single figures' since about then.

Daily Cases of Overseas acquired and Locally acquired - COVID Live

Live tracking of coronavirus cases, active, tests, deaths, ICU, hospitalisations and vaccinations in Australia

covidlive.com.au

But scrolling back even further to that July - Sep period last year the imported covid numbers seem even lower than they are now WITH pre-flight testing. So while obviously the testing will not capture every case in progress...I do find that surprising. I think the numbers arriving are probably fairly static across those periods....possibly more were arriving then than now even. Of course that Jul - Sep period was when e.g. Europe was enjoying itself and with seemingly low infection rates.

 

[jakeseven7]

On a side note - given the usual jumpiness out of QLD, any news from Anna and friends yet? I can't help but feel we've taken the second place mantle behind WA now....

QLD have announced they are putting back their border passes (like VIC has) but have decided not to close any borders as all the cases have been in HQ or close contacts of... which is perfectly logical.

Who would have thought QLD would be showing SA up on this front. How embarrassing for SA

 

[Lynda2475]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1359685663021441025

 

[Lynda2475]

QLD have announced they are putting back their border passes (like VIC has) but have decided not to close any borders as all the cases have been in HQ..... which is perfectly logical.

But Qld are strengthening the border pass to include requirements for mandatory test on arrival.

Not as restrictive as what SA requires wrt to multiple tests during visit.

 

[jase05]

Disappointing that we are still 2 months out and the ANZAC Day march in Melbourne has been cancelled.
One thing I look forward to each year

 

[Pushka]

Disappointing that we are still 2 months out and the ANZAC Day march in Melbourne has been cancelled.
One thing I look forward to each year

That’s sad and surely risks could have been mitigated.

 

[dajop]

Disappointing that we are still 2 months out and the ANZAC Day march in Melbourne has been cancelled.
One thing I look forward to each year

One presumes this is due to the age profile of many participants.

I've been a Dan supporter, but it's getting ridiculous, they can support 1200 tennis players and their "hanger-ons" to come to the city from covid hot spots (most of the rest of the world) to hit a ball around for a few weeks, but don't have the capability to manage march like this in a way that minimises risk? But hey, it's OK to have lots of people sitting around together worshipping the god of ball sports (cricket, tennis, football).

Why is it that sport is more sacrosanct than just about everything else?

 

[Pushka]

Unfortunately two more people from Holiday Inn. Identified as close contacts so presumably already in isolation.

 

[jase05]

One presumes this is due to the age profile of many participants.

I've been a Dan supporter, but it's getting ridiculous, they can support 1200 tennis players and their "hanger-ons" to come to the city from covid hot spots (most of the rest of the world) to hit a ball around for a few weeks, but don't have the capability to manage march like this in a way that minimises risk? But hey, it's OK to have lots of people sitting around together worshipping the god of ball sports (cricket, tennis, football).

Why is it that sport is more sacrosanct than just about everything else?

Yeah, I had hoped that most of the vulnerable would be vaccinated before then and that we also have the ability to coordinate a Covid safe march.
I’m going to the footy that afternoon and I bet that goes ahead with a 50-60% crowd

 

[Princess Fiona]

Yeah, I had hoped that most of the vulnerable would be vaccinated before then and that we also have the ability to coordinate a Covid safe march.
I’m going to the footy that afternoon and I bet that goes ahead with a 50-60% crowd

I don’t think they will be done by then. We haven’t approved the Oxford Vaccine yet and that’s what the majority of the elderly will be getting.

 

[Pushka]

Yeah, I had hoped that most of the vulnerable would be vaccinated before then and that we also have the ability to coordinate a Covid safe march.
I’m going to the footy that afternoon and I bet that goes ahead with a 50-60% crowd

So have you changed your mind about allowing sports then? I’m thinking that there won’t be any impact for the tennis either. Interested to see what SA does. Another update at 2.20pm SA time. Fringe and Tennis looking risky right now.

Post automatically merged: Feb 11, 2021

I don’t think they will be done by then. We haven’t approved the Oxford Vaccine yet and that’s what the majority of the elderly will be getting.

That’s imminent from what some Govt person was saying.

So other than the quarantine and most at risk (other than elderly) receiving Pfizer, do you see any other group receiving it given the number of doses ordered?

 

[jase05]

So have you changed your mind about allowing sports then? I’m thinking that there won’t be any impact for the tennis either. Interested to see what SA does. Another update at 2.20pm SA time. Fringe and Tennis looking risky right now.

Post automatically merged: Feb 11, 2021

That’s imminent from what some Govt person was saying.

So other than the quarantine and most at risk (other than elderly) receiving Pfizer, do you see any other group receiving it given the number of doses ordered?

No, I’m all for sports to be played but I’m also all for other events being run in a Covid safe manner.

 

[Pushka]

Seems a level of confidence in SA that the Vic outbreak is likely to be well controlled but just too early to confirm. Either that or SA doesn’t want to risk ending the Festivals and tennis. Also possible that there might not need the 14 day period after last infection.

And Sydney and WA are now fully open to SA

 

[Lynda2475]

They could easily run ANZAC marches as ticketed events (mark out spots to stand), require masks and maybe just not allow marching bands to play some instruments like trumpets due to droplet spread. It's outdoors, easy to social distance if you put up some screens to give those further back a view.

Lots who march these days are younger from more recent conflicts like Afghanistan and the really vulnerable could nominate a current soldier or younger family member to march on their behalf.

If there is no virus circulating widely come ANZAC day, let the veterans decide themselves what risk they want to take attending a public event.

For me cultural events like theatre and ANZAC day are much more important than sports ball (my generic term for all the boring sports that seem to get special exemptions). So sick of double standards.

 

[Carrots]

Classic... Sky News has cut from the SA CHO to CMO Paul Kelly. CHO won’t like that!

I only caught the tail end, but SA CHO going on about number of potential exposure sites in Melbourne etc and that’s why she made the decision. And then CMO Kelly’s comments that he’s confident it’s well under control due to those close contacts already all in isolation etc.

How the halo has fallen.

 

[Lynda2475]

And Sydney and WA are now fully open to SA

NsW has never been closed to SA, I assume you meant the reverse?

If Sydney people still need multiple covid tests during their SA visit it isn't fully open.

I thought vulnerable elderly were getting Pfizer vaccine, didn't realise they were getting Oxford like rest of us. Will need to register my Mum (old and immuno compromised but not in aged care) on the standby list they are talking about for when there are last minute left over Pfizer jabs that would otherwise go to waste. She needs best option.