What was COVID-19 like in Australia?

🦘💭

Omg, Covid literally felt like a fever dream.

So having to experience COVID-19 in Australia was so painful. I still can’t wrap my head around how strict the COVID-19 lockdowns were in Australia, especially in Melbourne. Like, we actually lived through one of the longest lockdowns in the world 😭 I think it honestly felt like 2.5 years jailed at home.

🕊️ But before I rant deeper, I just want to take a moment here to acknowledge the people who lost their lives to COVID-19, in Australia and everywhere else. It’s easy to talk about the small pains and Zoom school during COVID, but so many families went through heartbreak during that time. Even though life has moved on, I hope we never forget them or how fragile everything felt. 🕊️

During the lockdown, here are some of the things that happened in Melbourne.

• We had a curfew. 9pm to 5am. If you were outside during those hours, police could fine you.

• Only the people in your house were only allowed to be in the house, you can't have friends over!! Memory: I remember once when the police knocked on my door after receiving a tip-off that I was hosting a party but I was really just playing music at home. The officer came in to check if everyone living there was supposed to be, did a quick headcount, and asked to see my rental contract to make sure everything matched. Of course, I wasn’t in any trouble. It all checked out.

• You can ONLY go out for essential reasons. That meant groceeries, medical reasons, and work.

• And the biggest one of all: the 5km radius rule. You literally couldn’t go further than 5 kilometres from your house. The government even had a map you could check on their website. I remember typing in my address to see exactly how far I could walk. My world became this little circle on Google Maps. If your friend lived further than 5km, say goodbye to them and see them after COVID-19 ends.

• Masks were mandatory everywhere. You couldn’t even take a walk without one.

• Adhering to social distancing was VERY VERY heavily applied and strict.

• When things started opening up again, you MUST be vaccinated to eat at restaurants, and had to show proof of digital vaccination certification through the MyGov app to the restaurant before being seated. This was every restaurant.

Reflection

It was honestly the craziest, weirdest times I've lived in my life - and everyone was going through the same thing. A lot of people carry the same sentiment that they felt like they've lost so much time in their lives and I think that's totally valid!

Looking back at my camera roll, I've spent A LOT of time chilling at home, having Zoom time, playing sims, among us, hanging out with my dog (he was obviously the happiest), learning to cook and make food, and picking up blogging and creating content!

What a time!!

And honestly? I’ll never take something as simple as a long drive or a cafe brunch for granted again.

xoxo, a lockdown survivor.