Who thinks Australia and NZ have got it right ?

[marilenagrace]

What do you think ? Do you think that keeping everyone out of the country is the right approach long term to deal with covid ? Do you wish we did that here in the UK ?

I'm in Australia (Perth) and am very happy to be here. Compared to my family and friends in the UK and Ireland, I feel very lucky. Life is normal apart from no foreign travel, I've only had to wear a mask twice in the last year. We can eat out, and go to pubs and restaurants, and go to work as usual. A few weeks ago I went to a footy game with 45,000 spectators, and next week I'm going on a road trip. Yes of course I'm worried about when I will see my family again in NI, but its just the price we have to pay at the moment.
The border will open as soon as things are safer and people are vaccinated, I'm happy to wait for that.

I do feel sorry for Aussies that are struggling to fly home, I believe the government could have done a lot more for them. Some of my colleagues have been bumped off several flights trying to get back, and its an expensive business!

filming is going on here too. Recently walked past them filming the latest Marvel in London. I think Oz and NZ think the rest of the world has stopped in lockdown but it hasn't really and lots of places have re-opened up.

I'm sure it is, I didn't think for a moment the rest of the world has stopped in lockdown. I was replying to a pp who seemed to not believe that anyone from Hollywood would be going down under as apparently there is no reason for them to!

Again this 'safe' business. Do Australians really think the rest of the world is dangerous?

I'm not in Australia so can't tell you what they think, but from people I've spoken to who were already here (NZ) when the borders closed, plus various stories from others I've read/heard, those people considered themselves safer here than in their own countries.

As to the 'half of Hollywood' comment, a pp has given you examples so no need for me to.

We should have done it last year. I don't see the need so much now.

Who is here from Hollywood?

Chris Hemsworth (obviously)
Zac Efron
Natalie Portman
George Clooney
Matt Damon
Chris Pratt
Tessa Thompson
Christian Bale
Ideas Elba
R to olds Swinton
Dwayne Johnson
Julia Roberts

As well as all the returning Aussies like Nicole Kidman and Keith, Isla Fischer and Sacha BC

We have had an increased amount of movie production due to no COVID.

It’s great for the economy and as long as quarantine happens for every visitor it’s great for us.

It is frustrating that people can’t get home though and I admit that I don’t really understand why flights are cancelled if they can be filled. There are inbound flights every day and medi hotels setup for compulsory quarantine in the heart of the city.

Again this 'safe' business. Do Australians really think the rest of the world is dangerous?

I’m not in Australia, and I don’t think the rest of the world is ‘dangerous’.

But yes, we are safe from COVID here because there is no community transmission. That is clearly what is meant when people use the word ‘safe’.

For the love of Maude, Teas, stop including Japan in the list of magic Zero COVID countries. Just because a country is Asian does not mean they all have a uniform approach. Have you checked the news recently? We don't even do hotel quarantine, by the way.

www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2021/04/19/five-eyes-become-four-new-zealand-takes-different-view-china/?utm_content=telegraph&utm_medium=Social&utm_campaign=Echobox&utm_source=Twitter#Echobox=1618860943 Have to say I'm wondering if the Zero Covid mission is connected with Ms Adern's rather extraordinary decision here.

If NZ is committed to limiting quarantine-free travel to fellow Zero Covidians, one big downside is that this might greatly increase NZ's economic exposure to China, increasing the desire to cosy up to Beijing in order to ensure a supply of foreign students, language students and tourists.

It is frustrating that people can’t get home though and I admit that I don’t really understand why flights are cancelled if they can be filled. There are inbound flights every day and medi hotels setup for compulsory quarantine in the heart of the city.

The flights are not the issue, it’s the quarantine capacity. The medi-hotels have a very small capacity. It’s deemed ‘manageable’ as (obviously) every outbreak that’s occurred after we initially got it under control has been by people coming in. This will continue but instead of the debacle of State border closures if it’s an odd case you can try to limit it to a localised lock-down like the Northern Beaches lockdown. Once a large number come through there won’t be the odd community case that can be quickly licked down but it will spread quickly, State borders will snap shut and no returns whatsoever until it’s eradicated again.

The Feds are pushing responsibility into the States to increase quarantine capacity. The States are pushing responsibility into the Feds. Rightly, if the Feds got more facilities like Howard Springs up and going we could get large numbers back. Last I heard they were setting another one up out there but it couldn’t open until after cyclone/wet season as deemed unsafe in that area during that time.

I'm Australian, and I'm very happy with the approach our Government has taken. Despite being negatively affected with a 6 month stand down from work (work in aviation).

• 127K deaths in the UK vs 910 deaths in Aus
• Over annual death rate has actually decreased
• No impact to our health system. We are not seeing a halo rise in cancer and other diseases with reduced testing happening overseas
• Following a short period of time for schooling from home, kids are in the classroom with no long term impact to their mental health or education
• For a really long time, I've been able to go to the pub, out for dinner, to an AFL game, to the museum
• Workplaces are open, I'm in the office 2/3 days a week, choosing to WFH from the remainder
• Masks only required now in public transport and airports/planes

It has been a really significant sacrifice our society has made for each other. I really feel for people with family overseas, it must be incredibly hard not to know when you will see each other again.

Australia is really watching what happens as countries overseas being to reach herd immunity levels, I really hope that we see a significant decrease in the death rates to lend confidence to when we finally reach the same levels.

The future does scare me, with our Government making a complete disaster of the vaccine program. Thankfully our State Leaders are stepping in to take control. I'm also very concerned about maintaining our position within international trade. And the debt levels we're facing for the future.

Do I miss travel? Yes. Do I prefer my ongoing freedom with snap 3 day lockdowns? YES. Am I relieved that our COVID death rate is so small and we are not seeing a negative impact to other health conditions and damaging our children? YES. YES. YES.

Do I think every country should have done the same? No. I don't think this is possible. While we're both islands, our supply chain is completely different and so our integrations with logistics. However, I have found it crazy previously international travel without enforced quarantine and testing was permitted.

The Isle of Man and Guernsey look like they are about to show the world how this can pan out.

Guernsey has been COVID free for long periods and currently have very low levels, as a result of border restrictions.

However, unlike Australia and NZ (who don't seem to have an easy way back to normal) they have vaccinated huge portions of the population and are about to open up again. How this pans out will be of interest to lots of places as its like a mini experiment.

From Friday borders are open with 7 day isolation and 2 tests. Any positive test and you isolate longer.

From 14th May its a test on arrival, and as soon as that comes back clear you are out and about. Another test at day 7 is required.

Will be interesting to see what happens and iOM will likely follow soon.

IOM is currently no masks or restrictions (not sure about Guernsey) so if they can maintain that and open back up then it's the best of both worlds as a result of keeping levels low, controls at the border rather than closing, and a successful vaccine rollout.

If NZ is committed to limiting quarantine-free travel to fellow Zero Covidians, one big downside is that this might greatly increase NZ's economic exposure to China, increasing the desire to cosy up to Beijing in order to ensure a supply of foreign students, language students and tourists.

NZ already has huge economic exposure to China, along with students and tourists, and has done for years.

@ButtonMoony

The Isle of Man and Guernsey look like they are about to show the world how this can pan out.

Guernsey has been COVID free for long periods and currently have very low levels, as a result of border restrictions.

However, unlike Australia and NZ (who don't seem to have an easy way back to normal) they have vaccinated huge portions of the population and are about to open up again. How this pans out will be of interest to lots of places as its like a mini experiment.

From Friday borders are open with 7 day isolation and 2 tests. Any positive test and you isolate longer.

From 14th May its a test on arrival, and as soon as that comes back clear you are out and about. Another test at day 7 is required.

Will be interesting to see what happens and iOM will likely follow soon.

IOM is currently no masks or restrictions (not sure about Guernsey) so if they can maintain that and open back up then it's the best of both worlds as a result of keeping levels low, controls at the border rather than closing, and a successful vaccine rollout.

This will be really interesting. CI have done very well in preventing community transmission.

Am in Aus and agree with previous posters who stated the Aus/NZ approach was right for them (and responses still have room for improvements IMO) The CI is probably the closest comparison to NZ or Aus. But I feel comparisons are usually pointless.

We are struggling being separated from euro family, and am realistic it will likely be atleast 2 more years before we are able to see them (before flight $$$ become affordable). its hard to be separated i don't like closed bordes but they are preventing illness so they are purposeful. Also a lot of medical services are based in capital cities - if covid got hold in rural communities there is not the medical infrastructure to deal. It was also imperative for indigenous communities to be protected. If Covid wipes out the elders of our indigenous people, it would be horrific and result in a huge cultural loss. This is where Australias response makes the most sense to me. But more repratrition flights should have happened sooner/ continued.

How we navigate out of closed borders will be interesting (and slow). Watching the footage of NZ/AUS bubble opening yesterday was hugely emotional.

I am just so incredibly grateful that my kids schooling has gone on un interrupted (beside a 3 day lockdown) and life (school. sport, hobbies, birthday parties etc) has been mostly normal for them. Aside from missing the odd activity (ie. school camp got postponed) life has continued and I'm really bloody grateful.

I’m pretty sure if people put in enough thought, they could solve the freight problem - not immediately, but over weeks and months. They did construct hospitals in a few weeks - which requires lots of disruption and they are managing to do all the border bureaucracy due to brexit - which includes charges that the carriers deny and you only find out when they won’t release your package. I guess it’s about the political will to do it and whether the population would accept the disruption.

@eaglejulesk ah yes, I realised that when I re-read your post. I think Aus and NZ are actually a great location for filming, and I like things set in both countries and I imagine celebs like working there too. Obviously an additional bonus for them now.

You have to be joking @marilenagrace 🙄
We've lead a fantastic covid-free existance here watching the insanity of the UK with disbelief..everyone i know seeing our business-as-usual lifestyle here in QLD is wondering if/how they can emigrate lol..
We have just opened a bubble with NZ for quarantine-free travel but tbh life in OZ is not something you are itching to escape95% of the year unlike UK. Life in this blessed country goes like this:
Far North its reefs&rainforests,volcanic crater lakes&waterfalls/mountains&natural history galore,in the alpine NSW/VIC regions ski season will be starting and in Northwest W.A we have deserts/camels/ancient national parks&amazing indigenous townships. Then you have the regular whitesand beaches,boating,national parks,endless public pools&playgrounds,5star restaurants pubs&clubs we all take for granted which grace the entire perimeter of OZ..oh& the top-notch hospitals,schools..
Dont feel sorry for us🤣
My wages are x2.5 what they were in UK with far betterwork/life balance-whereas housing/bills/transport are cheaper..ive saved enough for a mortgage this past year (thanks to covid)-the Oz Govt massively increased job subsidy for everybody-meaning 50% of the country was paid better than they were pre-covid.
Im thankful everyday my kids were born here&that i got out of UK just before the 08 recession..
No-one here cares much about "whether we have any covid immunity"lol i think thats a thought to console yourself with as there is surely nothing else to cling onto!
Our govt are being purposely slow rolling out the vaccine&again we all have maximum respect if we have had a 3day lockdown or required to wear a mask.We did recently for 2weeks though only inside shops&even with that everything stayed open/schools/kids clubs/shops/all the local attractions.
It could be this way for years&ill be fine-the kids are in fantastic schools with uni/apprenticeships to look forward too and plenty of well paid jobs here after that..HappyDays🍹

@CornishPastyDownUnder I'm not really sure why you're rolling your eyes at me. I just started a discussion about this topic. Your post is so smug too. Boring

We've lead a fantastic covid-free existance here watching the insanity of the UK with disbelief
Oh yawn fucking yawn. It seems that all people in Australia do is watch with horror, watch with disbelief, despair over the insanity, the SHITSHOW.
God knows what you will do now our rates are so low. Salivate over the situation in India? Maybe live streaming from the favelas of Brazil?

I'm just glad there wasn't a similar attitude in UK and Europe during the bush fire crisis @cornish

It seems that all people in Australia do is watch with horror, watch with disbelief, despair over the insanity, the SHITSHOW.

I wonder if it has something to do with the posters on MN who are continually boasting how superior the UK is to the rest of the world? Maybe Australians are simply wondering how such a wonderful part of the world got it so wrong.

I think border control like quarantine is seen as normal in Aus/NZ because if you try to bring in food/Plants/animals/Animal products into either it’s quarantined, checked or taken off you and your given a fine so the extension to people is the accepted solution.

Life is normal here, life is normal in NZ and I think for most of the population the pandemic is what happened to other countries.
For us personally it has had less of a life altering impact than DH’s extended family in Italy. We hear there stories and don’t want that for ourselves.

Aussies and kiwis travel a lot but it has to be planned because we are in the arse end of nowhere. No quick weekend trips overseas (except to each other a as no even then it’s a 3hr flight) because it’s hours of travel time away.

Quite IrishMamaMia. I dont think I've ever read such a selfish, gloaty little smugfest

State govt has been taking the brunt of the work both quarantine and community control)
Our Federal govt is so extremely useless people actually feel sorry for them which is pathetic. They are in control of the vaccine programme. Or lack of it??

Well, I'm in Australia, and I do watch the UK situation in horror, because, you know, my family lives there and they tell me themselves that it has been horrible and a shit show. Many people I know that are following the situation in other countries have family or friends there, and we have watched Boris be pretty useless throughout. Of course, he isn't the only one who has got it wrong, our own government is being pretty crap about the vaccine rollout, but you know, we are all allowed an opinion. Nowhere has handled the whole thing perfectly, and comparing different countries is apples and oranges, but I know I have certainly had a better year of it than my mum in NI, and I am very grateful, although it would be better if I could get here over here to enjoy it too.

XiCi has a point. We don’t need the we’re watching with horror stuff we know what we’re going through.