I live in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT). We are blessed to be the first place in Australia to be covid free. We have no active cases of covid, and have had no new cases for about a week now.
With that good news, as of this weekend, our restriction are easing (although physical distancing is still required). We are allowed to have 2 people visit ( couples can bring their children), non-essential shopping is allowed and there are discussions happening about a staggered restart to school.
They have also said we can travel over our borders. This one worries me a little as the ACT is bordered completely by NSW which has had community transmission. I am hoping like crazy no-one brings covid back into the ACT.
I guess time, and a second wave, will tell if we’ve managed to crush covid.
The funny thing is, we all feel really awkward about leaving the house and being social, or going somewhere we haven’t been allowed. I guess we’ll get used to the new normal again, but for now it is really odd.
And if you’re interested, my first reaction…to message my hairdresser about getting an appointment.
What is the first thing you will do when restrictions ease?
May 3, 2020 at 9:05 pm
I don’t blame you for wanting a haircut. I need one badly. Oddly, I have seen an open – and busy! – barber shop, yet not a hairdresser. My hairdresser has texted to say it’s open, but last time I walked past it was closed!
I’d like to go out for dinner, somewhere I can sit, eat and read or write. I think the places on my road, which are open for takeaway, will be fine, not sure about my favourite restaurant where I like to take my Mum for dinner – they have never offered takeaway, so it will be a lot harder for them to reopen.
I’d like to see a movie. My theatre bookings have all been cancelled. I was hoping to see Fiddler On The Roof in Yiddish later this year, but my brother knows someone in the cast, who says even if they do get the go ahead, they will need at least two weeks of rehearsals.
May 5, 2020 at 8:08 am
I have a haircut later this week. So happy. I’d also like to be able to go to my favourite cafe, as it is where I like to write out of the house. But I don’t think it will be opening for a little while yet.
May 3, 2020 at 10:01 pm
Yay!!! That was so fast for you! I’m glad the barbarians will be able to get back to school!!
First things I’ll do: text my spa and get a waxing appointment for my face!! I’ve been managing ok at home but man I can’t wait to not have to tweeze 😂 I am resisting the urge to shave it and set myself back.
Immediately after: date with guy
May 5, 2020 at 8:33 am
Yeah, the Barbarians and I are all waiting to see what they say about the return to school. At the moment the private schools are going to start taking back their seniors (yrs 11 and 12) from next week, but there is still no word on the government schools (which the Barbarians attend).
May 4, 2020 at 12:25 am
That will be mine, too! I’m pretty much at the tipping point, hair-wise.
Keep us UTD on your progress. You’re at the tip of this recovery spear. California where I live is still staunchly in lockdown.
May 5, 2020 at 8:35 am
I think we’re all nervous about what is going to happen as we all start to gradually resume some semblance of normal. No-one wants a second wave.
I think my hairdresser is going to be my very favourite person this week. I have an appointment for Thursday *happy dance*
May 4, 2020 at 1:49 am
My mother’s friend is a retired hair stylist. Both are “little old ladies” who live alone and wanted some company. So a few weeks ago, we arranged for a “party” at my mother’s house and her friend cut my hair and my mother’s hair in the kitchen. Had a great time.
Hope your release from lockdown goes well.
May 5, 2020 at 8:36 am
That’s lovely, Dena. It can be very lonely for the elderly who live alone. Especially as they are the ones least likely to be zooming with friends.
May 4, 2020 at 3:02 am
We’re starting to open up around here. I’m hoping and praying we don’t have another wave come through.
May 5, 2020 at 8:38 am
I totally understand, John, because I am the same. Our government is approaching it much differently to yours though. There is a long checklist of things that have to be met for each stage of unlock. A “steday, steady” approach. Plus there’s an app (which I am going to blog about soon).
May 5, 2020 at 5:47 am
Congrats. If only my area could get things contained. Alas, we’re probably going to open up without being contained, and things are going to get so much worse.
May 5, 2020 at 8:40 am
I’m sure we’ll get an increase of cases, but I hope they are only slight and are caught quickly. Because we have no current cases, testing for covid has opened up to anyone with any symptom, so hopefully that will catch cases quickly. For a case to be cleared it has to be 10 days from when symptoms first appeared and 3 days without any symptoms – whichever is the longest.