Wednesday 6 May 2020

An easing of restrictions in Queensland

Here in Queensland we have had an easing of Corona virus self isolation restrictions if that is the correct terminology. Starting at midnight on Friday 1st May we were allowed to go for a drive up to 50km, have a picnic, take out a boat or jet ski, shop for an outfit or a book but only with our household or one other person. I just saw the bit about 'shopping for a book' on the Queensland Government website and that was a surprise as I have never heard that before. 




I must say the message is sometimes confusing as our Premier said we could now shop for clothes and shoes and I wasn't aware that before the 2nd May we weren't allowed to as several dress and shoe shops still remained open in the shopping centres as well as department stores like BigW, Target and KMart when most of the dress and shoe shops closed down.  Why did they remain open if we weren't supposed to shop for non-essentials? I have no idea.




Some people I know are concerned about a second wave of virus cases if people become too relaxed about our comparatively small numbers of fatalities here in Australia. The numbers in some countries are just staggering and it seems we have dodged a bullet at this stage. Most people seem to be sticking to the guidelines but there were a few parties held over the long weekend in SE Queensland  that had to be shut down and fines were given out so hopefully that will be a reminder to everyone, young and old, not to be too blase.

Also some school classes here in Queensland will go back next Monday on the 11th. They are Kindy, Prep, Yr 1 and Yrs 11 and 12. A decision will be made on the return of the other classes on May 15th. I am sure a lot of parents will be happy although it will be a tad difficult in families that have children in different classes especially as a lot of parents are working from home.




Life goes on as normal here and not much has changed apart from the fact that I haven't been able to catch up with friends so I have been trying to get the veggie patch up and running again. It seems we have quite a few pests around which are getting stuck into the seedlings and they just love the chrysanthemums for some reason.




We have had some interesting visitors in the garden this past week and some have been more welcome than others.  




Our local farmers' market is still running and last Saturday I bought my fruit and veggies and then took a walk across the road to Queens Park to see what is growing there. Near the entrance there is a building going up which looks interesting and presumably it is going to be built in time for the Carnival of Flowers if they are held. Apparently a decision will be made by the 1st July.




Some of the trees are looking beautiful as the leaves change colour. 




A visit to BMS and Bunnings was on the cards at the weekend to buy some potting mix etc. and there was no problem getting into BMS but across the road at Bunnings we had to line up before we could go inside. The line was moving very quickly when we were there so we didn't have to wait. There is now only one door to enter through and one exit door and no sausage sizzle....of course!



As I haven't seen my 83 year old sister for over a month I thought I would take her for a drive today although she drives all the time and should stay home but she doesn't. We went to Danish Flower Art which I didn't realise hadn't shut down at all during the past month.




This is a great place to visit if you are interested in beading, gourds, succulents and other bits and pieces. There is also a cafe there where take-away drinks and food are available.



It is well worth a visit and I am sure lots of locals will be stocking up on their supplies. 

We just had a little light rain which probably wasn't enough to wet the ground so I had better grab the gum boots and check out the veggies. I think I need to wear my glasses to find out what is nibbling on them even though they are under our veggie netting. Obviously I haven't secured it well enough. 

I hope everyone is staying well and happy!


20 comments:

  1. We are all hoping that the relaxing of restrictions will not see much of a spike in new infections. WA now has had a week of no new cases and has been stepping up testing. My older sister in law is coming here for lunch tomorrow -she is feeling the lack of company quite a bit.

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  2. Yes, I think we are all holding our breath and hoping that there aren't a lot of new cases two weeks down the track after the easing of the restrictions. It is all such a learning curve for the authorities as they work out how to handle the virus.

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  3. Chel I think everyone is somewhat concerned but for many different reasons. Some seniors and many non-seniors are really scared about becoming ill. Others are really worried about their financial security. People are worried about losing their jobs, or about risking their health by going to work. Parents are worried about sending their kids to school. And there is that possible link to covid 19 and Kawasaki disease in children. I am trying to stay in today and not run ahead and think about tomorrow. I had a really great day at work today and I am grateful for that.

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  4. Oh and I meant to mention that Jerry Colby Williams has some 'recipes' for natural pest control on his blog. I am experimenting with his molasses spray. It is supposed to deter caterpillars and grasshoppers. :-)

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  5. Sherri, will you let me know how the spray goes? The caterpillar was on the chrysanthemums but I am not sure what is chewing on the seedlings.

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    1. Chel I sprayed my tomatoes with molasses spray on or around Anzac day. There has been a decrease in caterpillar activity. However I will mention that around the same time we netted our tomatoes because the King Parrots had discovered the immature fruit so I don't know if that deterred the moths from laying. It would have prevented butterflies from getting to the plants. And I also around the same time I had dragonflies start to revisit the garden and I don't know that they eat caterpillar's but I understand they do sometimes eat moths so maybe that also caused the decrease in the population.

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    2. Thanks Sherri. I am yet to see what is eating the seedlings under the veggie netting. It is too cold at night to go looking :-) I bought a new chrysanthemum yesterday and brought it inside overnight so that I could enjoy it for a few days before it starts getting chomped on.

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  6. That’s a big grasshopper! Here also, it’s the season of lubber grasshoppers and they eat everything!

    Restaurants are allowed to open at 25% capacity here. And some beaches and parks are open. I went to the grocery store and noticed that about 50% didn’t wear masks. I really hope there won’t be a second wave.

    Stay safe Chel.

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    1. Nil, it isn't common practice to wear face masks here although most Asian people I see do wear them. We have had nowhere near the cases you have had in the US in some states. I hope the easing of restrictions there isn't detrimental.

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  7. It's nice to see some restrictions easing, but I do hope we don't see a rise in COVID cases again. Here in SA there have been no new cases for more than two weeks, the schools have re-opened, and playgrounds have also opened up again. The Barossa was a hot-spot for the number of cases due to tourism. There was to be no non-essential travel in or out of the Barossa, but I know of people who are still going to the City for a day out, and some are still going to their holiday homes three hours away. The Barossa is now all clear, as is the rest of the state, but our restrictions are officially still tight... except for those who don't care about anyone but themselves. We have not been out of our small area for nine weeks, so will be excited about hooking up our van and going camping for a night or two. Those coloured beads remind me of the colourful bead and sari shops in India. XX

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    1. Sally, playgrounds are still off limits here at this stage. That is great that you can go camping. That is still not allowed here as far as I know.

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  8. A friend gave me some cornflower seedlings yesterday, I potted them up after lunch....they have disappeared! And the lovely new white Azalea plant out the front has been totally stripped of all flowers, probably possums. 🤬
    Lucky I have little greenhouses over my silverbeet, cos and rocket.

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    1. I bought a lovely calendula today and have brought it inside overnight so it won't disappear by morning. You have so much trouble with those jolly possums.

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  9. Just heard that the 50 klm travel restrictions in Queensland will be waived for Mothers day but personal distancing will still apply

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    1. Yes I heard about that but it won't do us much good, will it? 😢

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  10. My son will be going back to school in Grade 11 next Monday and I'm happy about that because some of his subjects really need a teacher so he can ask questions, chemistry etc. My 14 year old will stay at home until the 25th May and that's okay too. Whilst they are lifting restrictions I won't be doing too much different at this time with the exception of having a coffee with my friend on her acreage however no hugs etc...all of that feels very weird however it's for our safety so I understand, you have to remind yourself not to hug your family and friends...stay safe. Kathy, Brisbane

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    1. Kathy, I think some parents will be relieved to have their children go back to school especially if they are working from home. My girl has three children and one laptop so it is a little challenging but one of them goes back to school next week. It is nice to be able to meet up with friends but no hugs as you say.

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  11. Yes Chel, I am concerned about the lifting of restrictions. I think it's too soon, and we're not even in Winter yet, which is when this virus thrives. Nobody asks us though, do they...lol. Stay well. Mimi xxx

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    1. Mimi, it will be interesting to see what happens in winter. Flu season is usually in full force around August and September here in Qld around the time of the Brisbane Exhibition where everyone shares their flu germs but I doubt the Exhibition will be held this year. I think our Premier will bring back the restrictions in a fortnight if we get a surge in new cases.

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  12. They are easing up things in NSW now too. My sister-in-law and husband are visiting next weekend. We have had no travel distance restrictions in NSW - just restrictions based on the need to travel. I laughed about the 50km limit in Queensland ... that would not get people to next town in the country. Now I see that has been raised to 500km in country Queensland but I understand travel is for day trips only ... crikey that is a 1000km round trip in a day.

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