Here we Covid-19 Again
Local businesses had to think on their feet when the snap announcement was made to lock down the whole of Victoria on Friday afternoon, giving them little time to make plans for the coming week. Schools were also unsure how to...
By Kirstin Nicholson
Local businesses had to think on their feet when the snap announcement was made to lock down the whole of Victoria on Friday afternoon, giving them little time to make plans for the coming week. Schools were also unsure how to proceed at such short notice, with staff given little direction until after the home bell had already sounded. Confusion reigned for teachers, parents and students.
Weekend plans were quickly dropped as we donned our daggy ‘around the house’ clothes and switched to home maintenance mode. With the symphony of lawn mowers, Whipper Snippers and power tools playing through the neighbourhood airways, we emerged from the weekend with immaculate lawns and gardens and wondering what our next project would be.
Shops deemed as non-essential barely had time to scrawl a notice of closure for the front door before closing on Friday night. Having done this twice already and for extended periods, some of our food outlets quickly switched to ‘lockdown’ mode and offered takeaway only.
Like similar dine-in establishments, 3J’s Coffee Shack and Beer Garden switched to offering a limited takeaway menu only. Caitlin Jenkins said they were disappointed to be in lockdown again, and thankful to their customers who have continued to support them.
Retailers closed their physical doors but Wendy Toma, owner of 3rd Bird Boutique, took to Facebook and Instagram to promote her sale items. “That’s about all I can do at the moment,” she said. “Hopefully we can all open our doors on Thursday. I have managed to make some sales, but nothing like it would be with the doors open.”
The Cohuna Waterfront Holiday Park was on track for a full weekend of occupancy. That changed in an instant, with travellers already on site having to leave, and others enroute having to turn around and head home. Park manager, Helen Brooks, spent the days following the announcement processing refunds and arranging alternative bookings.
“We had to deal with people who were coming right up until Thursday. Some of them have been able to reschedule their stays, some of them don’t have leave so they’ve postponed until a later date,” Helen explained. Those who were already checked in were permitted to stay, but were still subject to the lockdown rules, and did not have access to park amenities such as the pool and jumping pillow that have been closed off, so many chose to return home.
One large group booking was a caravan club, whose members all returned home following the announcement. “That impact probably ripples throughout Cohuna because they were planning to have functions at different food places, and activities. They decided to leave and go home,” said Helen.
Pam Brown has resided in the Cohuna retirement village for just over a year. She looks forward to visits from her daughter, Di Bowles, but since COVID-19 hit last year, the visits and outings have been few and far between. When the announcement was made on Friday afternoon, Di made the trip into town for a visit before she, and other visitors, were locked out.
An anticipated outing to Pam’s old home on Saturday had to be cancelled, coming as a disappointment to both Pam and Di. Outings have been limited for Pam, who is not used to mask wearing and COVID-19 social etiquette, and whose impression of the COVID-19 environment is built on what is portrayed on television. It has become an unfamiliar world outside the village walls. “She would be scared to go in a shop because she just doesn’t know how it works,” explained Di.
If visitor restrictions continue, Di and Pam will return to using the ‘window’, a window to allow residents and family members to see each other while talking on the phone. “It’s hard because Mum can’t hear very well. I sit outside, Mum sits inside. I ring the number in there and they have it on speaker for Mum to talk to me. She does like to actually see me,” said Di.
The Cohuna and District Historical Society is collecting photos and stories of life in lockdown for its archive and welcomes any contributions. Drop in when the centre reopens or contact the secretary through the website or Facebook.
Almost 12 months on from our first lockdown, we are still living in a world of uncertainty. From the forced time off work and school to the missed sports trainings, appointments and catch ups with friends and family, we have come to realise that plans can change at the drop of a hat. At the time this went to print, all Victorians were eagerly awaiting the announcement from Premier Andrews, an announcement that would outline our next steps. I am hoping the lockdown does not continue, but one thing I can be sure of, we are all a heck of a lot more resilient than we thought we were.
Beyond Blue has a dedicated service for those feeling anxious, stressed, depressed or need assistance during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Phone: 1800 512 348.
