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Five days ago we landed at Sydney Airport. Getting to that point - navigating the new travel regs, jumping the hurdles - was stressful & arduous.
But once we landed, entry into pandemic-conditions Australia was smooth & impressive.
A thread. (1/8)
But once we landed, entry into pandemic-conditions Australia was smooth & impressive.
A thread. (1/8)
3 notable impressions:
First, competence. We were whisked off the plane, thru a health screen, passport & customs, baggage claim, & onto waiting buses - all within an hour.
ABF, NSW Health, NSW Police, & ADF seemed to travelers like a seamless team. They’ve had practice. (2/8)
First, competence. We were whisked off the plane, thru a health screen, passport & customs, baggage claim, & onto waiting buses - all within an hour.
ABF, NSW Health, NSW Police, & ADF seemed to travelers like a seamless team. They’ve had practice. (2/8)
At multiple waypoints at airport and hotel, we were checked off a list. A smooth conveyer belt. Knowing we were a family with kids, they’d arranged accm in an apartment hotel. They answered our questions, transparent about the process. (3/8)
Second, human decency. Everyone we encountered treated us w/warmth & a helping hand. Health screeners were patient, & gentle w/kids. ABF & diggers offered to push our trolleys. After a day in a steel tube, this makes a difference. Can you imagine CBP pushing your trolley? (4/8)
Third, govt here takes duty-of-care seriously. Our 14 day quarantine is strict, but wrapped w/layers of services. Take a look at this, from our hotel welcome pack (yes, there’s a welcome pack of information): (5/8)
A nurse calls twice a day to check on our wellbeing. There’s a physician & mental health pro available. Three meals a day appear at our door, plus any sundries we need. And of course, in 14 days of quarantine we get tested - twice. (6/8)
Now, with all this I realize we’re the lucky ones. We got plane tickets that weren’t cancelled at last minute. Processes here have been tested & ironed out over time. We traveled even with new daily cap on arrivals, but before we had to pay for quarantine. Etc etc. (7/8)
And I know people’s experiences have varied widely. But for us it’s been an eye-opener on what effective public health & public administration looks like. Perfect, no (thanks, Melbourne); but impressive. (8/8)
