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Covid-19 Vaccines
Arguably, the most controversial aspect of the pandemic has been whether or not people should or should not have the covid-19 vaccination. In Australia, there are three different types of vaccines you can have; Aztrazeneca, Pfizer or Moderna. The chief health officer has deemed that if you are eligible and do not fall within an exemption category then you should have the vaccination as soon as possible.
There are two doses of whichever vaccination you choose. You have your first dose and depending on which vaccine you have, you can have your second dose either 3 weeks or three months after the first. It is important that you have your second dose as soon as you are eligible for it to be most effective.
Certain vaccination requirements are coming into effect as the country considers opening up to the world and those requirements are essential to prevent the spread of corona-virus. Covid-19 testing, potential lockdowns, contact tracing and social distancing are just some of the changes we have already become used to. Face masks have become a requirement in certain situations, especially public transport and large social gatherings, and there is a lot of stress and fear around what this means for the future.
We have found ourselves in situations of needing to quarantine or isolate in our place of residence and we have watched our friends and families mental health suffer as a result. Some states such as Victoria and New South Wales (NSW) have had to ensure months of restrictions and lockdowns during the delta wave of the virus and there are still areas of concern today.
Some states have been harder than other however, with Western Australia taking a more restrictive and harsher approach to the situation in order to protect the public. Covid-19 restrictions moving forward in WA are set to be harsher than other states with strict conditions in place for un-vaccinated residents as well as a longer period of closed borders prior to joining the rest of the country. For the most update information and latest news on coronavirus restrictions for any state, the best source will be the Government websites as they are updated daily with public health directions and advice. As the country moves towards opening both nationally and globally, restrictions are set to change in stages over the coming weeks and months.
As The Country Opens, What Can We Expect?
As the country reopens to the world, our expectation is that lockdowns will be a thing of the past with most states vowing to not return to restrictive measures. Mentally, physically and financially, lockdowns have affected people on a monumental scale and economically we have seen a large impact. Moving forward, it is predicted that isolation and quarantine will be our only difficulties with vaccinated people projected to spend 7 days if they have come into close contact with an infected individual. There will also be requirements in place for self-isolation if waiting for a coronavirus test result.
Quarantine facilities will still operate for interstate and international travelers and periods of quarantine will still be required for those who contract the virus. Residents of individual states will be able to quarantine in their own homes so long as there are appropriate amenities in place.
Restrictions are predicted to still be in place for visitors to residential aged care facilities, health care facilities and other care provider facilities to protect elderly and more susceptible members of our community. The department of health have issued guidelines and mandates about what types of businesses and environments it will be required that patrons be full vaccinated and among the contenders are restaurants, pubs, hospitals, etc. Emergency management of the situation has been required so that economically the country can begin to open once again.
Authorised workers were among the first to be vaccinated against the virus and health services were among the list who required vaccination to remain employed. This list has now extended to include teachers, aged care workers, all health facility workers, etc. The world has become such that now, it is more restrictive if you are unvaccinated than vaccinated as larger freedoms have been awarded to those who are vaccinated.
Can I Travel Anywhere In Australia If I Am Vaccinated?
At this stage, authorised travel passes are still required when travelling to ensure that protections and appropriate contract tracing is in place. The minister for health has foreshadowed that it still essential to have appropriate quarantine facilities in place as well as appropriate testing capabilities to ensure rapid results are received. The Idea being that for many years to come, we will have to ;earn to live with covid in the least obtrusive way possible.
The NSW government have decided that people can travel within their state whether they are vaccinated or not vaccinated which is not an opinion shared by most other states. Typically, it will be required that you be vaccinated before you travel interstate and even if it is not, it will most likely be required that you be vaccinated before you will be allowed to return to your home state. It will be important that you keep up to date with the rules and guidelines of your home state’s health act.
What is an Emergency Declaration?
Over the past two years, we have seen unprecedented times where emergency declarations have been made in the interest of public safety. An emergency declaration refers to instances where life as we know it cannot continue and drastic measures need to be put in place in order to prevent mass death or casualty. As we have seen, covid-19 has ravaged the country and has caused mass panic among the community for fear of contracting the virus and becoming sick. An emergency declaration is something which we hope our country will never again see or experience.
