Australia is now officially reconnected to the world from today but we are also self-imposing lockdown to others.
Yes, vaccinated visitors are now allowed to Australia. In the first 24 hours, about 50 planes have landed in Australia. The government is hoping that international students, short term workers and visitors will come back and the normal running of the society will resume very soon. Will this really happen? I do not think so.
Australians have been told the severity of Covid infection for more than two years. Even though Omicron caused milder symptoms, especially to the vaccinated ones, experts are still not sure about the long term effect of Omicron and few will believe that Omicron would be the last Covid-19 variant. A new more severe variant will probably come in future. Hence Australians are now filled with both caution and relief. It is this lack of trust that results in a self-imposed lockdown for many people.
You can see that fewer people are now attending shopping centres and using more online shopping or takeaway for restaurants. The hospitality industry is hit hard most and most cafés in the city are having fewer patrons as usual. Online ZOOM meetings replace a lot of the working meetings and social gatherings are getting more and more in outdoor environments.
Different degree of self-imposed lockdown becomes a preferred living style for Australians after the Covid-19 experience. Its impact on the economy and running of society will be detrimental. We need Australians to spend so that the economy will receive greater stimulus. Many businesses owners are unsure of the future and are determined to discontinue.
The stimulus package from state governments should be matched by the federal government. In the coming election, which party wants to govern in the coming three years should provide a plan that will give the Australian economy a boost and hope to all the suffering Australians.
Regards,
Raymond Chow
Publisher, BlessingCALD