Australian state border restrictions

[Pushka]

Let’s be clear here - opening before Christmas has been great at seeding all of the ‘new to Covid’ states rapidly and very deeply which white honestly may turn out to be the best thing ever in terms of keeping our domestic borders open - for good.

And the worst thing for many SA families who had to spend Christmas in isolation for following all the mandates (masks for months with no community spread etc) so while open borders were needed so we could move on, some have paid a higher price than others. But - it's the policy of the Govt that has caused the mandates and the ridiculous rules and not the virus itself. Anyway, pretty much free for all to come to SA now.

 

[jakeseven7]

And the worst thing for many SA families who had to spend Christmas in isolation for following all the mandates (masks for months with no community spread etc) so while open borders were needed so we could move on, some have paid a higher price than others. But - it's the policy of the Govt that has caused the mandates and the ridiculous rules and not the virus itself. Anyway, pretty much free for all to come to SA now.

I guess if they feel the isolation order is legitimate and high risk they will be observing the government request then yea, there is always someone who has to pay the price.

 

[PineappleSkip]

Having just read the readiness plan, and details of the COVID-Ready kit (Not grab bag as you call it) it actually looks like common sense. And I am always a fan of promoting common sense.

Yes it reflects common sense, but it is a classic instance of the bureacracy and its communication function turning the exercise of common sense into a planning requirement, as a response to anything. They love doing this sort of stuff, as does the happy brigade of consultants who will charge a modest fee to produce a plan that complies with the requirements.

Of course the logical next step, as in countless other situations, is to mandate such plans, to the delight of the breed of consultants who will charge a modest fee to compile one for you. I’ve worked in both the bureaucratic and consultant camps but understand too well that the reality is these plans sometimes add about 5% value and 95% humbug.

BTW I called it a grab bag because the ‘kit’ requirements reminded me of the grab bag we were required to keep for when the bad guys (Taliban or omicron as the case may be) attacked and we had to be extracted quickly. The kit could better be described as a checklist, but until I am compelled to fill it out I won’t bother.

I could describe in forensic detail the deficiencies of the kit as a piece of communication but doubt Qld Health is tendering for this work. So a sample will do. I really don’t see the need to tick a box on a checklist to say I have acquired a mask, hand sanitiser and gloves, and shan’t do so unless it is mandated. I already have a mask (who doesn’t?), sani, and I have rubber gloves under the sink. I admit I am uncertain of the purpose of the gloves and how they will help me when I get COVID.

Meanwhile, seasons greetings to all who sail on the good ship AFF, and special shout out to all them who wear <mod hat>.

cheers skip

 

[Quickstatus]

They love doing this sort of stuff,

Poster Makers

It’s easy to make Colourful posters and say “the sun rises in morning so it’s important to make a checklist when you wake up every morning”

But really important changes that has the most impact are usually beyond to capabilities of the poster makers.

The really scary aspect of this is people use these ideas as a validation to their beliefs/ethics

 

[serfty]

Yes it reflects common sense, but it is a classic instance of the bureacracy and its communication function turning the exercise of common sense into a planning requirement, as a response to anything. They love doing this sort of stuff, as does the happy brigade of consultants who will charge a modest fee to produce a plan that complies with the requirements.

As a Contractor working from Home under the umbrella of a PTY LTD company based in Victoria, the company had to prepare a "COVID Safe" plan.

COVIDSafe Plan

COVIDSafe Plan is an important part of the occupational health and safety obligations of every workplace.

www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au

The state Government offered a free review service via Ernst & Young.

 

[Lynda2475]

So the pop up walk in test clinic in Port Douglas has been extended to 2nd Jan and will be open on NYD so complying with the day 5 test just became a lot easier. Looks like the hoteliers were sucessful in forcing Qld Health's hands given the place is booked out.

 

[N860CR]

So the pop up walk in test clinic in Port Douglas has been extended to 2nd Jan and will be open on NYD so complying with the day 5 test just became a lot easier. Looks like the hoteliers were sucessful is forcing Qld Health's hands given the place is booked out.

Shame people just didn’t look elsewhere. That would have forced the Queensland governments hand as well. Having a great boys long weekend in Fiji at the moment. All testing is organised by the resort and done onsite. Shame they can’t control the train.

 

[Milboo]

The private lab provider near me is closed for public holidays. I’m not getting a lift 45 mins to Brisbane to stand in a queue for 3 plus hours, not with a knee injury especially.

Post automatically merged: Dec 27, 2021

As a Contractor working from Home under the umbrella of a PTY LTD company based in Victoria, the company had to prepare a "COVID Safe" plan.

COVIDSafe Plan

COVIDSafe Plan is an important part of the occupational health and safety obligations of every workplace.

www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au

The state Government offered a free review service via Ernst & Young.

I’m in NSW but one of the first questions SafeWork asked on a notification to them (mandatory) was, do you have a COVID Safe Plan?

 

[jakeseven7]

Rumours QLD health will shortly change the day 5 tests to be RAT instead of PCR. But either way they aren’t tracking them so…. Why bother… with either

 

[Must...Fly!]

Rumours QLD health will shortly change the day 5 tests to be RAT instead of PCR. But either way they aren’t tracking them so…. Why bother… with either

Oh yeah nice, so take the pressure off their own failing system but keep up the pressure on the other states...who cares...Queensland testing centres for Queenslanders.......

 

[HappyFlyerFamily]

I guess PCR tests in Qld will be required for positive Day 5 RATs year tourists in Qld

 

[jakeseven7]

I guess PCR tests in Qld will be required for positive Day 5 RATs year tourists in Qld

For those who bother doing them I expect so

 

[N860CR]

The question really needs to be; why are we testing anybody for crossing an arbitrary border? Be it state or international? This mild virus is present in virtually every jurisdiction in the world, so why do we continue to make it hard for those who have the audacity to want to cross a line in the sand? Similarly, why does the state fund hundreds of thousands of PCR tests a day for the fun of it, while it makes people who want to leave the country pay?

Just plays to the argument that this is far more about social control than a virus. And it’s getting very very hard for even the covid crazies to claim otherwise.

 

[Buzzard]

The question really needs to be; why are we testing anybody for crossing an arbitrary border? Be it state or international? This mild virus is present in virtually every jurisdiction in the world, so why do we continue to make it hard for those who have the audacity to want to cross a line in the sand? Similarly, why does the state fund hundreds of thousands of PCR tests a day for the fun of it, while it makes people who want to leave the country pay?

Just plays to the argument that this is far more about social control than a virus. And it’s getting very very hard for even the covid crazies to claim otherwise.

+1 and I have to pay for a test to be guaranteed entry into SA from NSW.
If we go the free PCR test there is no guarantee we will get a result promptly so we could be stuck at the border. Our only choice then is to buy a RAT kit at our own expense and hope it doesn't give a false result. Next issue is to find a chemist in a rural area that has said kit available. Apparently in SYD they are like hens teeth.
And I thought I heard the Emperor of SA state a test before arrival was no longer necessary.

 

[N860CR]

+1 and I have to pay for a test to be guaranteed entry into SA from NSW.
If we go the free PCR test there is no guarantee we will get a result promptly so we could be stuck at the border. Our only choice then is to buy a RAT kit at our own expense and hope it doesn't give a false result. Next issue is to find a chemist in a rural area that has said kit available. Apparently in SYD they are like hens teeth.
And I thought I heard the Emperor of SA state a test before arrival was no longer necessary.
View attachment 267858

It’s basically killed any chance of my traveling within Australia for a while. If I’m stuffing around getting tests, im leaving the country.

 

[Lynda2475]

Apparently in SYD they are like hens teeth.

Not really, none left at local supermarket or Chemist Warehouse (who had the best price), but the Chemist 4 Less and Independent Chemist both had hundreds of boxes today if you are prepared to spend $13-15 per test instead of the $10 at Chemist Warehouse.

RATs are great for assuring oneself, but i do wonder how will work as proof at the border? Are you meant to do the test in front of the border guard? If in your own time then there is no way to say if you actually poked the stick up your nose or not, nor when you did the test. Or like a kidnapper are you required to take a timestamped photo of your test panel holding a copy of today's newspaper?

 

[Pushka]

+1 and I have to pay for a test to be guaranteed entry into SA from NSW.
If we go the free PCR test there is no guarantee we will get a result promptly so we could be stuck at the border. Our only choice then is to buy a RAT kit at our own expense and hope it doesn't give a false result. Next issue is to find a chemist in a rural area that has said kit available. Apparently in SYD they are like hens teeth.
And I thought I heard the Emperor of SA state a test before arrival was no longer necessary.
View attachment 267858

I reckon everyone should have them on hand anyway. If the first one tests positive then try another one. If that one is positive then likely you have covid. But in reality false positives are rare. And Grant Stevens said it was going to be hard to police anyway.

 

[Buzzard]

We might just take our chances and buy a kit only to use at the border as we return home.

 

[jakeseven7]

You don't need a PCR anymore from within Australia. Just a RAT before arrival. And I reckon everyone should have them on hand anyway. If the first one tests positive then try another one. If that one is positive then likely you have covid. But in reality false positives are rare. And Grant Stevens said it was going to be hard to police anyway.

They couldn’t police the PCR - that lasted about 5 minutes as I predicted. They are absolutely not going to be able to police RAT’s…. So again in a highly vaccinated country why are we wasting so much time, money and effort.

 

[openseat]

So SA have coughped themselves again with restrictions that will mean lots of hospitality businesses will simply close. Anna is not giving way about PCR tests, despite the problems it’s causing to testing in nsw. Tasmania is paralysed. Just a complete shambles. The only hope is that Victoria and NSWhold the line on opening up.
Will populations begin to foment?