Snow, Spirits, and a Sudden Mask Resurgence
Just when you thought the era of “no masks, no fuss” was all the rage, the Governors of New South Wales and Victoria decided to flip the script on the very last holiday week.
Why the New Mask Order?
- Omicron on the Loose: Despite a double‑dose roll‑out that’s over 90% of Aussies, the new variant keeps racking up cases.
- Hospital Safety: The spike means doctors and nurses could still end up on sick leave if they contract the virus.
- Christmas Travel Chaos: Thousands hit test centres to prove they’re virus‑free before flying between states for the holidays.
State‑by‑State Breakdown
New South Wales: Masks for all indoor public places and a comeback of QR‑code check‑ins at venues. “We’re keeping it safe but not over‑the‑top,” said Premier Dominic Perrottet, who had previously urged the state to roll back restrictions once vaccine rates were high.
Victoria: Meanwhile, the Victorian government lifted the mask ban. “We’re doing it to relieve the bed count crunch,” it said. Even Queensland stepped up its mask game, claiming unchanged “inevitable” spread means an inevitable shift to endemic living.
Hospital Numbers The Bottom Line
Despite almost 44k active cases, only about 800 patients are currently in hospital, with just 37 of those being Omicron. One intensive‑care bed is occupied, but there have been no deaths so far.
The Takeaway
But tell me, in the spirit of hope: With an alarming 8,200 new cases on Thursday, most of the surge is localized in NSW and Victoria. As the delivery dozen moustaches less over Christmas, state leaders remind us that nothing says “holiday cheer” like another mask order—yet the country still bounces on with a “no lock‑down” pledge from PM Scott Morrison. He’s calling for personal vigilance while easing the 72‑hour test requirement that was straining “our resources.”
