Australian Reports of the Virus Spread

[Lynda2475]

Actually, it’s worse than I thought. New South Wales government is insisting they drive back to Melbourne ditch their car and pets or whatever, fly to Sydney do 14 days quarantine at their own cost before flying on to Canberra. I actually had already got approval to go across but it was rescinded very quickly.

They can blame the Victorians who had passes to transit NSW on route to Queensland, who then stopped and socialised at Pubs etc for the rule being introduced. Too many couldn't be trusted to transit only stopping for fuel or rest breaks in their cars.

Why are there so many stuck though?

They had 3 days notice before the changes came into effect where they could transit NSW. When the changes were announced, it clearly specified SYD airport as the only point open to enter NSW from Vic as was the fact all prior approvals were voided by changed conditions. (Queensland introduced the same rule for BNE - many have been turned away at the NSW/QLD border, and had to drive to an airport to fly into QLD).

Also they dont have to fly via SYD, they could fly direct to CBR from MEL (or another Vic airport) and presumably quarantine in ACT. If there is enough demand a direct flight could be arranged, from a regional airport too.

Right now if you travel away from home, you need to stay across the moving restrictions everyday, and when something that may impact your ability to get home is announced you need to act before they take effect, not assume you will be given an exemption. Its tough but its not like there was no notice nor that Vic is too big to be able to cross the border within a day of departure (there were 3 days).

And I agree celebrities and politicians should not be exempt - they should have to do the mandatory hotel thing too.

 

[SydneySwan]

Actually, it’s worse than I thought. New South Wales government is insisting they drive back to Melbourne ditch their car and pets or whatever, fly to Sydney do 14 days quarantine at their own cost before flying on to Canberra. I actually had already got approval to go across but it was rescinded very quickly.

This was raised on Q&A last night - it was the first question. Tim Wilson (LNP from Victoria) said politicians passes were cancelled as well but a few phone calls sorted it out (for the pollies). So clearly one rule for the pollies ..................

 

[dajop]

Actually, it’s worse than I thought. New South Wales government is insisting they drive back to Melbourne ditch their car and pets or whatever, fly to Sydney do 14 days quarantine at their own cost before flying on to Canberra. I actually had already got approval to go across but it was rescinded very quickly.

I missed the whole thing, but on ABC this morning they were talking about farmers who had properties in the Sunraysia (Mildura) and the Riverina (around Griffith presumably) unable to move between their properties. They were suggesting a solo 4-5 hr drive, from an area with one reported case, was turning into a 3 flight odyssey. (interestingly they would also be transitting an known hotspot (MEL) into an area with low level transmission (SYD) before getting to GFF, so actually escalating personal risk).

I've said it before, but our governments are sorely lacking in vision or will. or both, to manage this regionally rather than along stupid century old state boundaries that do not reflect realities of people movement.

 

[get me outta here]

It was Gladys who said they have to fly to Sydney. There are so many ACT residents stuck because they were given approval which was rescinded.

They can blame the Victorians who had passes to transit NSW on route to Queensland, who then stopped and socialised at Pubs etc for the rule being introduced. Too many couldn't be trusted to transit only stopping for fuel or rest breaks in their cars.

Why are there so many stuck though?

They had 3 days notice before the changes came into effect where they could transit NSW. When the changes were announced, it clearly specified SYD airport as the only point open to enter NSW from Vic as was the fact all prior approvals were voided by changed conditions. (Queensland introduced the same rule for BNE - many have been turned away at the NSW/QLD border, and had to drive to an airport to fly into QLD).

Also they dont have to fly via SYD, they could fly direct to CBR from MEL (or another Vic airport) and presumably quarantine in ACT. If there is enough demand a direct flight could be arranged, from a regional airport too.

Right now if you travel away from home, you need to stay across the moving restrictions everyday, and when something that may impact your ability to get home is announced you need to act before they take effect, not assume you will be given an exemption. Its tough but its not like there was no notice nor that Vic is too big to be able to cross the border within a day of departure (there were 3 days).

And I agree celebrities and politicians should not be exempt - they should have to do the mandatory hotel thing too.

 

[Lynda2475]

It was Gladys who said they have to fly to Sydney. There are so many ACT residents stuck because they were given approval which was rescinded.

Yes they have to fly to Sydney if they wish to transit NSW, but if they can fly direct to CBR from a Vic airport, they do not have to go via Sydney.

The rescinding of the passes was effective at the point the hard border closure into effect which was 3 days after the change in policy to only allow entry from Vic to NSW via SYD except for freight and border communities. was announced.

In her interview this mooring Gladys said they were investigating the escort option, but they needed assurance that people wouldnt stop and mingle with NSW residents on route. If there are 50 cars driving in a convoy from Wadonga to ACT, how will that police escort make sure no cars stop or supervise that many people - someone will need to stop to use a bathroom or for petrol and may bring covid into NSW.

 

[get me outta here]

Timing : Berejiklian 'can't apologise' for leaving Canberrans stranded

It is a debacle .

Yes they have to fly to Sydney if they wish to transit NSW, but if they can fly direct to CBR from a Vic airport, they do not have to go via Sydney.

The rescinding of the passes was effective at the point the hard border closure into effect which was 3 days after the change in policy to only allow entry from Vic to NSW via SYD except for freight and border communities. was announced.

In her interview this mooring Gladys said they were investigating the escort option, but they needed assurance that people wouldnt stop and mingle with NSW residents on route. If there are 50 cars driving in a convoy from Wadonga to ACT, how will that police escort make sure no cars stop or supervise that many people - someone will need to stop to use a bathroom or for petrol and may bring covid into NSW.

 

[jakeseven7]

Timing : Berejiklian 'can't apologise' for leaving Canberrans stranded

It is a debacle .

What a stupid bureaucratic bungle.

How embarrassing.... can’t apologise for what? Lack of ability to problem solve something relatively simple?

 

[drron]

Just like the QLD border the main reason for the hard closures were people doing the wrong thing and lying about it.
One thing that should at least be discussed is GPS tracking for those who have been told to isolate and for checking at the borders.
Not that hard and must be less of a "rights"problem than hard lockdowns and border closures.

So arrive at the border,police check your phone and if it agrees with your declaration you get in.No phone,GPS turned off.Sorry go back where you came from.

 

[dajop]

Not that hard and must be less of a "rights"problem than hard lockdowns and border closures.

The rights of individuals to data privacy trumps freedom of movement, and rights of people to work, visit loved ones etc. Every time.

After all, people tweet all over twitter and promote via facebook on their GPS enabled smartphones that they don't want those nasty governments interfering in their privacy (only foreign companies can do that).

 

[blackcat20]

They can blame the Victorians who had passes to transit NSW on route to Queensland, who then stopped and socialised at Pubs etc for the rule being introduced. Too many couldn't be trusted to transit only stopping for fuel or rest breaks in their cars.

The infected people that snuck into QLD via NSW were Queenslanders, not Victorians.

 

[drron]

The infected people that snuck into QLD via NSW were Queenslanders, not Victorians.

The ones in the press were returning Queenslanders and they arrived by plane and train.
But many Victorians turned away at the border when driving.

700 Victorian travellers turned away

More than 700 travellers from Victoria have been refused entry into Queensland since tough new border restrictions were enforced on Friday.

www.news.com.au

Victorians fined for lying on border declaration while attempting to enter Queensland – ABC News

A group of four Victorians is fined more than $24,000 after lying on border declaration forms while trying to enter Queensland on Saturday.

thecoalface.net.au

 

[Lynda2475]

The infected people that snuck into QLD via NSW were Queenslanders, not Victorians

Different case. I was referring to cases where people had entered NSW from Vic with justification that they were transiting to Qld or elsewhere and then stopping and spending time in NSW in pubs etc in breach of the transit permit. For example these (see below) although there has been others too (source: Weekend COVID wrap: Six charged, 11 PINs issued for breaches of Public Health Orders, NSW)

Officers from Surry Hills Police Area Command were conducting proactive patrols, when they stopped to speak with a woman who was acting suspiciously on Mary Street just before 7pm on Saturday (8 August 2020). It’s alleged the woman was aggressive toward the officers then attempted to walk away. When the officers attempted to stop her from leaving, she allegedly resisted before being arrested. During a subsequent search of the woman’s handbag, police located and seized methylamphetamine, $500 cash, and tramadol and diazepam, which were not prescribed to her. Checks revealed the woman is a Victorian resident and had been granted a transit permit in July to travel directly to Queensland.

Just after midnight yesterday (Sunday 9 August 2020), officers from Coffs/Clarence Highway Patrol stopped an unregistered Toyota Kluger outside a hotel on the Pacific Highway, Coffs Harbour, and spoke to the driver – a 29-year-old woman. The driver produced a Victorian driver’s licence and while speaking to her, a 32-year-old man – known to the woman – approached the vehicle. Checks revealed the couple entered NSW on Monday 27 July 2020 on a transit permit, before staying at Port Macquarie on Sunday 2 August 2020. The pair were arrested and taken to Coffs Harbour Police Station where they were both charged with not comply with noticed direction section 7/8/9 – COVID-19. They were refused bail and appeared at Port Macquarie Bail Court yesterday where they were granted conditional bail to appear at Coffs Harbour Local Court today (Monday 10 August 2020).

I feel like NSW cant win - all the states except Vic calling for NSW to take harder actions ans as soon as they do exactly what Qld did, its deemed unfair.

 

[HappyFlyerFamily]

For a laugh, NSW Health’s daily report is clearly in error.....find the problem lol

Confirmed cases to date

By likely source of infection	Count
Overseas	2,044​
Interstate acquired	86​
Locally acquired – contact of a confirmed case and/or in a known cluster	1,201​
Locally acquired – contact not identified	376​
Under investigation	3,708​
Total	3,686​

Counts reported for a particular day may vary over time with ongoing enhanced surveillance activities.

News - COVID-19 (Coronavirus) statistics

www.health.nsw.gov.au

 

[Lynda2475]

NSW Health’s daily report is clearly in error.....find the problem lol

Oh dear, lets hope it is fixed quickly before a panic occurs and we are all in stage 4 lockdown.

 

[Himeno]

For a laugh, NSW Health’s daily report is clearly in error.....find the problem lol

Confirmed cases to date

By likely source of infection	Count
Overseas	2,044​
Interstate acquired	86​
Locally acquired – contact of a confirmed case and/or in a known cluster	1,201​
Locally acquired – contact not identified	376​
Under investigation	3,708​
Total	3,686​

Counts reported for a particular day may vary over time with ongoing enhanced surveillance activities.

News - COVID-19 (Coronavirus) statistics

www.health.nsw.gov.au

It seems that NSW must be investigating some of VICs cases for them.

 

[HappyFlyerFamily]

Oh dear, lets hope it is fixed quickly before a panic occurs and we are all in stage 4 lockdown.

I see you chose to even bypass Stage 3 lockdown in NSW.......

 

[HappyFlyerFamily]

It seems that NSW must be investigating some of VICs cases for them.

I’m not sure there are even that many active cases under investigation in the whole of Australia lol

 

[Lynda2475]

see you chose to even bypass Stage 3 lockdown in NSW.......

That's what would likely happen if that mistake was real. Not what I want to happen.

Although with not being able to travel anywhere and being forced to WFH none of my activities now i.e. daily walk within 5kms of home, visit supermarket or buy a take-away coffee would have to change under stage 3 or 4. BUT it would hurt others, which is why I prefer we just ban pokies and religious gatherings and make wearing masks on PT compulsory to avoid the need for stricter measures.

 

[moa999]

What a stupid bureaucratic bungle.

How embarrassing.... can’t apologise for what? Lack of ability to problem solve something relatively simple?

What do you mean?

If your a resident of Queanbeyan (in NSW) you can't cross the border from Victoria - you need to fly into Sydney and isolate for 14-days.
Why should someone in the rest of Canberra be any different.

Unless you meet the various other exceptions

 

[HappyFlyerFamily]

That's what would likely happen if that mistake was real. Not what I want to happen.

Although with not being able to travel anywhere and being forced to WFH none of my activities now i.e. daily walk within 5kms of home, visit supermarket or buy a take-away coffee would have to change under stage 3 or 4. BUT it would hurt others, which is why I prefer we just ban pokies and religious gatherings and make wearing masks on PT compulsory to avoid the need for stricter measures.

Since Crossroads, the three or four biggest spreading locations/events are:

• 112 cases linked to Thai Rock Wetherill Park cluster
• 63 cases linked to the funeral events in Bankstown and surrounding suburbs cluster, including 15 associated with Mounties in Mount Pritchard
• 34 cases linked to Potts Point, including 28 cases linked to the Apollo Restaurant and six cases linked with the Thai Rock Restaurant Potts Point (two cases attended both).
• 58 cases linked to the Crossroads Hotel cluster.

The first 3 were superspreader locations seemingly because a customer facing staff member caught it off a customer/elsewhere and then from about 24 hours later was infectious while at work (could be asymptomatic). Masks by staff members may have prevented a larger cluster forming.

The last event was caused by a superspreader, who infected 14 others while eating dinner. Assuming Crossroads was socially distancing in terms of seating, not sure what else may have prevented that event. For example, even if the Covid capacity was 20, I’d argue the superspreader would have infected 14 people anyway. Masks also are taken off while eating.

None of these are solely attributable to being pokies or religious gatherings. (yes funeral could be labelled religious gathering but many people who die are non-religious).