Australian state border restrictions

[Port Power]

Poor poor WA residents. It’s just heartbreaking, really not fair They are now completely locked out.

The WA Premier got slayed in the press conference, I know he has a speaking disability that causes him to stutter and lisp but when he is stressed it gets even worse and it was clear he is under tremendous pressure now. Hopefully something breaks so that WA residents can escape, but the vaccination rates there are still appallingly low… what a mess…

I am really becoming offended by your remarks. Please show a bit more respect to Western Australians on AFF. I have been travelling in and out of WA all year without a problem. The majority of Western Australians would have no idea what you are on about! It has been documented that most of the complaints about WA’s system actually come from non WA residents, just because they want to comment , not because they are affected.

The WA vaccination rate is not appallingly low at all. Where are you finding your numbers? What is the “appallingly low” rate you refer to?

 

[Comoman]

I am really becoming offended by your remarks. Please show a bit more respect to Western Australians on AFF. I have been travelling in and out of WA all year without a problem. The majority of Western Australians would have no idea what you are on about! It has been documented that most of the complaints about WA’s system actually come from non WA residents, just because they want to comment , not because they are affected.

The WA vaccination rate is not appallingly low at all. Where are you finding your numbers? What is the “appallingly low” rate you refer to?

46.1% in the Pilbara is not good….

‘No point’: Communities facing COVID restrictions when WA border reopens

‘We do not want to impose these restrictions if we do not have to.’

7news.com.au

 

[Port Power]

46.1% in the Pilbara is not good….

‘No point’: Communities facing COVID restrictions when WA border reopens

‘We do not want to impose these restrictions if we do not have to.’

7news.com.au

That is bad, but only a particular area. And there are reasons, including reluctance of residents. Not WA as a whole. Like giving Cape York statistics as representative of Queensland as a whole.

 

[oz_mark]

That is bad, but only a particular area. And there are reasons, including reluctance of residents. Not WA as a whole. Like giving Cape York statistics as representative of Queensland as a whole.

By the same token, you can't just dismiss it as not a problem.

 

[kangarooflyer88]

I am really becoming offended by your remarks. Please show a bit more respect to Western Australians on AFF. I have been travelling in and out of WA all year without a problem. The majority of Western Australians would have no idea what you are on about! It has been documented that most of the complaints about WA’s system actually come from non WA residents, just because they want to comment , not because they are affected.

The WA vaccination rate is not appallingly low at all. Where are you finding your numbers? What is the “appallingly low” rate you refer to?

One of the issues I have with WA is they are really doing a disservice to their communities which do have low vaccination rates. Yes, Western Australia has an 80% fully vaccinated rate, but that's the whole state, that doesn't include some of the most vulnerable in the community (e.g. 5-16s which Omicron hurt the most). It also fails to take into account those communities where the vaccination rate is lower and who still mistakenly believe that COVID won't get to them (hint: it will and by then it'll be too late for a vaccine to help them). Don't believe me? Just look to Sydney to see how fast that changes, where we witnessed one taxi driver ultimately spread Delta to NSW and Victoria in a matter of weeks. By pulling down that border you are sending a clear message to residents, you are on your own. Those who are hesitant to get vaccinated or have put it off are now given a strong incentive to go out and get the jab. If you don't want to get the vaccine that's your choice but COVID is around, good luck! The one harsh reality about COVID is we'll all likely get it, the only question is when and under what circumstances. If I were a Western Australian, I'd want to know that my mob were all vaccinated and had boosters to keep themselves and the community safe.

-RooFlyer88

 

[jakeseven7]

I am really becoming offended by your remarks. Please show a bit more respect to Western Australians on AFF. I have been travelling in and out of WA all year without a problem. The majority of Western Australians would have no idea what you are on about! It has been documented that most of the complaints about WA’s system actually come from non WA residents, just because they want to comment , not because they are affected.

The WA vaccination rate is not appallingly low at all. Where are you finding your numbers? What is the “appallingly low” rate you refer to?

I’m genuinely sorry you find what is going on in WA and peoples opinions of it confronting - I do too, because it is. I was born there. My parents live there, we are deeply affected in many ways, none-withstanding they been effectively trapped from seeing family because of what is happening over there.

Not everyone can afford / are able to quarantine the way the WA government dictates you have to, for many many reasons.

The restrictions are locking a lot of people out of the rest of the country and world and away from loved ones and livelihoods. For way too long. Clearly you are not very affected or you would feel this, and I’m genuinely happy for you that you are not. You are lucky.

I see many other posters have replied to your questions already pretty accurately so up to you if you want to reply to them

My parents are not able to attend our large cross border family Christmas because of the situation the WA government has put them in and it’s downright appalling it’s been allowed to go on this long. They have grandkids they haven’t even met

 

[Port Power]

By the same token, you can't just dismiss it as not a problem.

Absolutely not. I don’t believe anyone is, either. Not that I have read, anyway.

 

[Port Power]

One of the issues I have with WA is they are really doing a disservice to their communities which do have low vaccination rates. Yes, Western Australia has an 80% fully vaccinated rate, but that's the whole state, that doesn't include some of the most vulnerable in the community (e.g. 5-16s which Omicron hurt the most). It also fails to take into account those communities where the vaccination rate is lower and who still mistakenly believe that COVID won't get to them (hint: it will and by then it'll be too late for a vaccine to help them). Don't believe me? Just look to Sydney to see how fast that changes, where we witnessed one taxi driver ultimately spread Delta to NSW and Victoria in a matter of weeks. By pulling down that border you are sending a clear message to residents, you are on your own. Those who are hesitant to get vaccinated or have put it off are now given a strong incentive to go out and get the jab. If you don't want to get the vaccine that's your choice but COVID is around, good luck! The one harsh reality about COVID is we'll all likely get it, the only question is when and under what circumstances. If I were a Western Australian, I'd want to know that my mob were all vaccinated and had boosters to keep themselves and the community safe.

-RooFlyer88

I totally agree with you. Covid will come in and spread. I’ve just had my third jab. As commented some posts back, now that a date has been set to open, the procrastinators are finally lining up to be vaccinated. But it is still a fight to win over some people, and with respect, we cannot keep the border shut because of a minority number of residents.

 

[Port Power]

The restrictions are locking a lot of people out of the rest of the country and world and away from loved ones and livelihoods. For way too long. Clearly you are not very affected or you would feel this, and I’m genuinely happy for you that you are not. You are lucky.

My parents are not able to attend our large cross border family Christmas because of the situation the WA government has put them in and it’s downright appalling it’s been allowed to go on this long. They have grandkids they haven’t even met

My son and I have just cancelled a proposed trip to Melbourne on January 4 because he would not be able to take an extra two weeks off work to quarantine, even if allowed back in. Fortunately I did get to visit my then 91 year old mother in February before Melbourne went viral. I am, indeed, very affected. I just don’t tell everyone on social media. Like many Australians these days, I have siblings and in-laws spread across four states. Not attending a funeral is worse than not attending a niece’s wedding. But we don’t go on and on about not being able to visit, we just telephone regularly and email. We live with the situation we have.

Flights are already booked for March.

 

[kangarooflyer88]

I totally agree with you. Covid will come in and spread. I’ve just had my third jab. As commented some posts back, now that a date has been set to open, the procrastinators are finally lining up to be vaccinated. But it is still a fight to win over some people, and with respect, we cannot keep the border shut because of a minority number of residents.

At the end of the day the procrastinators and anti-vaxxers will receive their vaccine. It may not come in the form of a visit to a clinic but rather being knocked out cold for several weeks by COVID. Certainly not the way anyone should be enjoying the holidays. The thing is the Premier has the power to incentivize people to do the right thing, other jurisdictions have proven that this can make a difference. One only look to Queensland which is now effectively locking out those who haven't received their jab. Then there's international travel which is largely open for us fully vaccinated here in Sydney - I can fly in and out as I please. Why is it that I can fly to Pittsburgh but not Perth, Bristol but not Broome, Los Angeles, Albany, New York but not Albany, WA?

The other thing I'll point out is the Premier has a ton of tools at his disposal. He could mandate P2 mask wearing in public environments substantially cutting down on transmission. He could say all Western Australians need to do an at-home-test once a week. This narrative that only lockdowns work is a dated one. We've got so many tools now to cut down on the spread of COVID.

The Premier also needs to put his faith in the science and public health policy, even if this means going into uncharted waters. So far the evidence is clear, these vaccines protect very well against hospitalization and death against every variant at it. Could there be a variant at some point that escapes the vaccines entirely? Possibly, but that only stresses the importance of opening up now. The worst case scenario is WA remains in lockdown for months, opens up for a little bit a new variant comes around that does just that and everything has to close back down. Asking WA residents to stay at home for 2 years is a big ask, asking them to stay at home for 5 years straight is unimaginable. Hopefully Omicron is the end, but I always have my concerns, which is why I'm travelling now whilst things are open so I don't later regret it being stuck at home.

-RooFlyer88

 

[Must...Fly!]

I just don’t tell everyone on social media

That's fine but I'm unsure as to why you're participating in an online discussion on the topic then.....

 

[Port Power]

That's fine but I'm unsure as to why you're participating in an online discussion on the topic then.....

I’m participating in the discussion like many others to give and gain knowledge ang share relevant experiences. Not to divulge my personal life or that of my family willy nilly. Briefly I mention if relevant, such as an elderly aunt having both vaccinations, or 16 year old nieces stepping up as soon as they could.when on topic. Or if I had to have a PCR and my experience of the treatment and waiting times before and after to help others heading down the same path.

 

[Lynda2475]

Theoretically, yes, but in practice no. I should know, I tried finding N95 (P2) respirators online and elsewhere in 2020 and they were either sold out or weren't from a reputable brand (has anyone heard of 3N?) Only recently could I get some quality 3M N95 masks shipped over.

And yet i readily purchased 3M N95s back in June 2020, so in practice you could get them, although they were more expensive then, so i only used them on flights.

 

[Pushka]

Meanwhile nobody seems all that worried about whether coughmins is going to be OK.

He doesn't have covid. That we've been told. He's been identified a close contact only. Currently there are over 3000 close contacts in quarantine in SA. He was simply one of those.

I heard on the news TAS Health has slammed some close contacts in quarantine for 2 weeks because get this / their 2 month old counts as an unvaccinated traveller and despite testing negative and the parents being fully vaxxed they have to do 14 days quarantine…. Seriously?

Same in SA. At a primary school function last Friday the youngsters can't be vaccinated so all put into 14 days quarantine ending the day before Christmas.

 

[Carrots]

I think lots of positive interstaters were allowed to leave though as the active list kept declining and this was the reason given.

AS demonstrated by that family early on who either tested positive or were close contacts on a flight (I forget and it's a minor detail!), were put into the Medi Hotel and then opted to drive a hire car back home.

I'm sure their young children were absolutely thrilled with the police escort for the 3hr drive from the CBD to Bordertown... I mean it's not every day you get a two car police escort back to the border. It's a bit like Monopoly... Do not pass Go. Do not collect $200.

 

[jakeseven7]

He doesn't have covid. That we've been told. He's been identified a close contact only. Currently there are over 3000 close contacts in quarantine in SA. He was simply one of those.


Same in SA. At a primary school function last Friday the youngsters can't be vaccinated so all put into 14 days quarantine ending the day before Christmas.

It’s simply crazy… this is not living with covid.

 

[MooTime]

Quote from McGowan;

"We don’t want to see the pandemonium and chaos that is occurring in states in the east occur here over this crucial period for families and small businesses"

Hmm don't see any pandemonium or chaos here in Sictoria... Off to Mornington Peninsula this weekend.
Have big few days over Xmas with family
All is fine McGowan, thanks for checking in!

 

[jakeseven7]

Quote from McGowan;

"We don’t want to see the pandemonium and chaos that is occurring in states in the east occur here over this crucial period for families and small businesses"

Hmm don't see any pandemonium or chaos here in Sictoria... Off to Mornington Peninsula this weekend.
Have big few days over Xmas with family
All is fine McGowan, thanks for checking in!

I’m in Melbourne and I’m walking down the cities bustling laneways desperately searching for the ‘Pandemonium chaos’ WA is shrieking about …. Is it a new bar or something? A speak easy? Can any Victorian tell me where it is??

 

[Must...Fly!]

I’m in Melbourne and I’m walking down the cities bustling laneways desperately searching for the ‘Pandemonium chaos’ WA is shrieking about …. Is it a new bar or something? A speak easy? Can any Victorian tell me where it is??

If there is pandemonium, it's because the sun is shining...nothing to do with COVID....

 

[Pushka]

If there is pandemonium, it's because the sun is shining...nothing to do with COVID....

I expect he's referring to SA and the queues for testing etc.