Signs of change had already begun

ABC News invited their audiences to share the specific moment they realised things had changed. There were some sweet, shocking and strange responses.

It started at the supermarket

For me it hit me hard when I did my weekly shop. I was also shopping for my mother and even finding basic cooking essentials for her had me frustrated big time. I had to shop around at four different supermarkets in my area and even then I couldn’t get what I needed — Rowan

I’m a full-time wheelchair user with a significant physical disability. I got tackled for toilet paper. True story — Mia

Travel? Forget about it

When all citizens and permanent residents were told to come home and we managed to change our flights to make the very last Jetstar flight to Melbourne out of Bangkok — Shannon

I was about to have a holiday to see friends in Canberra … ended up cancelling as no-one wanted to meet up — Liz

Some are still waiting on loved ones

My dad died in Greece and we couldn’t jump a plane to go. Still can’t. Literally a year to his death, we finally were able to at least hold a memorial service here for him this past Sunday — Steffi

March 15, 2020, when I cancelled my evening flight from Brisbane to visit my new granddaughter in San Francisco — she is now 14 months and my heart aches that I cannot hug her and her brother. Her father and my other two adult offspring all live overseas and I try to maintain hope that we can meet up later this year — Julie

Some of you noticed significant changes in day-to-day life

When I bought hand sanitiser for the first time in my life, surreptitiously, terribly embarrassed about it, embarrassed that I might be judged for being concerned — Rosemary

When my calendar went from eight regular activities with my toddler each week to zero over the course of 48 hours — Kath

Driving along an empty freeway at what was usually peak hour. On the gantry overhead was a sign that said, “Stay safe, stay home”. It was eerie and didn’t feel real. It was a small moment that will burn in my memory forever — Vikki

But needless to say, most are hoping the pandemic ends soon

Why do we need a reminder? It’s something I would rather forget. — Karen