Australian state border restrictions

[Pushka]

But that's the problem. They're trying to open borders and still keep covid zero. You can't do both - pick one.

Very true. Clearly a struggle between CHO and the Premier. People are more scared of the lockdowns than the illness. Given we've reached 80% DD without an outbreak to get people moving and likely 90% by late December, people are pretty aggrieved that it seems we are in a worse place freedom wise than just last weekend. We don't have a choice. We can't pick one. We are stuck in this Unicorn/infection loop.

 

[JessicaTam]

[mod hat]
A number of posts unrelated to state border have been deleted/edited.

As there are a number of threads dealing with COVID, please post in the appropriate place
[/mod hat]

 

[RooFlyer]

I don’t think the eastern states understand that this step is a huge one for Covid free states to take. To willingly and knowingly bring it in and wear the consequences. It isn’t until this week that I’ve fully realised the impact.

Absolutley spot on. Same in Tas, although our opening isn't until 14 December. I'm in favour of opening, but the impact on the community here will be huge, and negative. In my own case, we agreed yesterday that we wouldn't do our usual, extended, (all-vaxxed) family Christmas lunch; my siblings and I are all getting on a bit. My sister, with several health issues and looking after someone who is being treated for cancer, announced that on 14 Dec, she's going into 'lockdown' for an indefinite period. Another sister (+70) says she expects she'll become a bit of a recluse, too.

Again, to repeat the point made by pushka - the SA and Tas goverments are doing this as a deliberate act. Necessary, but still a big step; the economy here has been going well the past 18 months; I suspect there will be a big backlash.

But that's the problem. They're trying to open borders and still keep covid zero. You can't do both - pick one.

So who is trying to keep covid zero after opening borders? WA isn't opening and SA, Tas and I think QLD have all said and got their populations ready for the fact that its gunna come in. You can't blame them for attempting some mitigation measures. The Tas plan announced yesterday seems reasonable to me (ie business don't have to close if there is a case there; quarantine if you are ill ... different for the vaxed and unvaxed) - although there is the over-riding caveat that its all "dependent on circumstances at the time".

 

[justinbrett]

So who is trying to keep covid zero after opening borders? WA isn't opening and SA, Tas and I think QLD have all said and got their populations ready for the fact that its gunna come in. You can't blame them for attempting some mitigation measures. The Tas plan announced yesterday seems reasonable to me (ie business don't have to close if there is a case there; quarantine if you are ill ... different for the vaxed and unvaxed) - although there is the over-riding caveat that its all "dependent on circumstances at the time".

I'd refer you to the comment I was replying to and discuss with that poster whether the 'mitigation' measures are reasonable and sustainable.

 

[Pushka]

I'd refer you to the comment I was replying to and discuss with that poster whether the 'mitigation' measures are reasonable and sustainable.

The measures are much too heavy handed so agree that they aren't reasonable nor sustainable. Give a few more interstate arrivals that Test positive and it will become more manageable because it will become unsustainable to keep shutting people down.

 

[RooFlyer]

I'd refer you to the comment I was replying to and discuss with that poster whether the 'mitigation' measures are reasonable and sustainable.

Sure, but is the SA govt, in opening it's borders, no matter what mitigation measures it employs, trying to keep SA free of covid (" covid zero")? I don't think so. It's trying to rationalise it's decision and mitigate the consequences ( "soften the blow", if you like).

 

[Pushka]

Sure, but is the SA govt, in opening it's borders, no matter what mitigation measures it employs, trying to keep SA free of covid (" covid zero")? I don't think so. It's trying to rationalise it's decision and mitigate the consequences ( "soften the blow", if you like).

Suspect in 6 weeks time it will be here proper and people will accept it and not be locked away just for being in the same place same time. Only for true close contacts.

 

[Doctore1003]

Getting that sinking feeling that Omicron will delay WA’s border reopening even further. If a new vaccine is required, could be aaaaages!

 

[N860CR]

Getting that sinking feeling that Omicron will delay WA’s border reopening even further. If a new vaccine is required, could be aaaaages!

I’d imagine mcgowen is probably getting very stressed about this, as it may cost him his exit plan.

If we’re looking at another year or more of border closures then I genuinely think the country may well be doomed.

 

[jakeseven7]

I’d imagine mcgowen is probably getting very stressed about this, as it may cost him his exit plan.

If we’re looking at another year or more of border closures then I genuinely think the country may well be doomed.

Put me in a cryogenic sleep…. Don’t have the energy for another round!

 

[RooFlyer]

The Tasmanian rules after 14 Dec.

What are the rules in Tasmania if you are unvaxed when the borders open?

Tasmania's borders are opening and COVID-19 is coming, so what are the rules if you get infected and you are unvaccinated?

www.abc.net.au

Some news

 

[oz_mark]

WA is (or maybe has), moving South Aust to Low, meaning any entering from SA will need to be vaccinated, and go into 14 days isolation

 

[nutwood]

Sure, but is the SA govt, in opening it's borders, no matter what mitigation measures it employs, trying to keep SA free of covid (" covid zero")? I don't think so. It's trying to rationalise it's decision and mitigate the consequences ( "soften the blow", if you like).

I would say the mindset is still Covid Zero. Tasmania likewise. The basic thing here is the State Governments have become involved. They do not see themselves involved in annual flu deaths or vehicle accidents but Covid deaths they take personally.
The correct approach is to establish how many deaths are acceptable and work within that limitation but they want to have no deaths, because it's politically unpalatable. On the current figures, I'm fairly sure you've a 1 in 22,000 chance of dying, every time you step into a car. In industry, killing 1 in 100,000 workers is perfectly OK. 1 in 1,000,000 innocent members of the public, no problem.
The reality is that Covid is here to stay. If it takes an annual death toll, it needs to be accepted.

 

[Melburnian1]

Apologies for repeating it (see the international subthread for initial mention, it's taken from 'SMH') but NSW govt has apparently just announced that all intl arrivals, regardless of origin, must quarantine for 72 hours.

I bet this means other states will again shut their borders to NSW.

Chaotic. It may be wise to not venture from one's own state lest one is 'caught' on the 'other side'. One has to feel sorry for any AFFers (and others) who've booked trips, for instance, to Qld come that state's supposed reopening date of 17 December 2021.

This fixation with 'zero COVID' isn't matched by a similar fixation re cancers that collectively see almost 50000 of us die annually, or the road toll (c.1000 in 'normal times'), plus many other causes of death. Yet for COVID-19, politicians panic when there's one person passing away.

 

[Solid]

In my own case, we agreed yesterday that we wouldn't do our usual, extended, (all-vaxxed) family Christmas lunch; my siblings and I are all getting on a bit. My sister, with several health issues and looking after someone who is being treated for cancer, announced that on 14 Dec, she's going into 'lockdown' for an indefinite period. Another sister (+70) says she expects she'll become a bit of a recluse, too.

If you wanted to catch up for Christmas couldn’t you all do PCR or RAT tests the day before and self isolate until lunch.

 

[ruben38]

Chaotic. It may be wise to not venture from one's own state lest one is 'caught' on the 'other side'. One has to feel sorry for any AFFers (and others) who've booked trips, for instance, to Qld come that state's supposed reopening date of 17 December 2021.

I knew it wouldn't last! We finally booked a trip from Melbourne to Sydney just before Christmas to visit relatives. Hoping that NSW and Vic borders were the least likely to slam shut. May be too risky now.

 

[Pushka]

SA has announced 14 days quarantine for international arrivals. Sigh. Lasted for just four days. We can't keep doing this stuff

 

[mviy]

With SA’s ridiculous restrictions it looks like it’ll be at least about a year between visits.

I would have liked to travel to SA from VIC in early November which would have been around my peak of immunity levels after my second dose. Multiple times I would have liked to travel before that didn’t work out.

I had been thinking QF won’t do any more status extensions. Now, I’m not so sure.

 

[PineappleSkip]

Dumbstruck (and screwed) by the sudden death no detail NSW announcement. What really worries me is what sort of nonsense Qld will bung on.

cheers skip

 

[Melburnian1]

Dumbstruck (and screwed) by the sudden death no detail NSW announcement. What really worries me is what sort of nonsense Qld will bung on.

cheers skip

Should each of us stay 'under the doona' for the rest of our lives?