I remain in despair. This is no way to live. I would be happy to spend money to support businesses (everywhere except Qld - I am still not over their behaviour and the recent example with the premature newborn baby whose parents have been kept away just stokes that fire) - but I am still afraid of snap lockdowns etc.
We were planning to welcome my niece and her partner (who live in Melbourne) for a short visit later this month, but that is certainly not happening now. Our Australia-based family remains shattered and shuttered away by the approach of COVID-0 that stealthily replaced suppression and "flatten the curve" somewhere along the line (except in NSW and maybe here in ACT as we sensibly just follow NSW).
And don't even get me started on how I long to see my son who lives overseas....
Like many of us, I had an interstate trip booked - only my second in 15 months, a sad commentary on where I reside - and had to cancel at short notice. But my woes don't involve interstate family so are minor in comparison.
It seems unwise/risky to propose any travel by any means (air or surface) to/from Victoria at present, much as you and I want to.
I know a couple of individuals who have already left Victoria for good, selling up everything and a couple more who are considering (admittedly easy to say that, but more difficult to follow through). They are a micro sample.
I had previously thought businesses on the Great Ocean Road in Victoria made super profits most years, no different to a gold mine when the bulls are out in force, but I hear third hand that in the part of it closer to Geelong (Anglesea, Torquay), many businesses are at breaking point as a small state government payment here or there, if they qualify, doesn't pay for numerous fixed (and some variable) expenses.
The disruption has been immense as they need visitors from Melbourne, interstate and overseas to prosper (and, they claim, to survive). My informant doesn't have information from further west along that iconic roadway, nor for Mornington Peninsula or for ski season businesses in Mt Buller, Mt Hotham, Falls Creek and so on. I bet many of these enterprises are badly feeling the pinch.
Imposed government capacity restrictions can mean even if there's a flood of visitors once travel restrictions ease (claimed by Vic government to be 17 June), businesses cannot accommodate the rush to recover the lost revenue from closed periods. Many wouldn't have the staff to cope, either, and in some cases not the seating capacity.
One credit watching business (not a credit agency as such, but allied) said in the paper yesterday or this morning that in a couple of months there will be quite a lot of companies going into administration.
This single-minded 'shut down Melbourne' (or the state) is doing huge long term damage to Victoria. Who'd want to come down here by air for a ladies' weekend or shopping trip?
Unfortunately that means tourism and transport jobs suffer, including in aviation. Perhaps a large operator like QFd may not sack more staff than it has already announced, but in some cases those on the payroll may have fewer block hours or if casuals, shifts.