We’re far from out of the woods yet, but certainly not above celebrating the little victories! The WA governments relaxing of COVID-19 restrictions to allow gatherings of up to 10 people has been welcomed with open arms, namely around here with the reintroduction of home opens! It may seem like a small number in the grand scheme of things, but even with so many restrictions still in place, it’s amazing to think of the activities and opportunities now available just because 10 people are allowed to get together! As the old saying goes, you don’t know what you’ve got till it’s gone, so here’s a few things that are gone no more!
Catching up with Family
The hardest measure to deal with also happens to be the most obvious. While our loved ones always encourage us to leave the nest, they certainly would never have anticipated the difficulty in coming back to visit it these past few months. Even for those with family members in their household, many of our nearest and dearest have felt a world away lately. Not to mention elderly relatives who are simultaneously the most vulnerable to the virus, yet most affected by social distancing measures. Many of the usual social outings for senior citizens remain out of action, so the fact that you can now visit Nan and Pop will mean the world to them. You may have to sit and listen to their stories for a little longer than usual!
Social Physical Activity
Everyone (well, almost everyone) has their own way of keeping fit. While exercise has remained permitted, it’s largely been a solitary affair. Cyclists and joggers have been able to go about their business mostly unhindered, while things like social sports teams and fitness classes got the chop. With the 10 people rule, your footy or soccer team is probably going to have to wait a little longer, but you can call up a few mates for a kick and make sure you’re primed for when the season gets going again! Fitness classes within the rule should also have the green light, although we’re sure that’s simply a ploy to force the PM into saying ‘barre’ again…
Seeing your Mates
We mention this one with a VERY high degree of caution. As we know with many young Perthians, a gathering of 10 can turn into 30 in the blink of an eye! If you’re partaking in some long-awaited catch-ups at a friends’ place, keep the vibe and activities low key. For the girls, the wine/chocolate/Netflix combo of the last few weeks should suit perfectly, while some beers, BBQ and video games for the guys is an equally responsible approach.
As you’ve probably gathered, while we’re happy to be given some freedom, it isn’t quite party time. Just as we’ll be doing with our home opens, make sure you’re still practicing social distancing, maintaining hygiene, and following guidelines. Keep it up and before you know it, we’ll be back screaming at the footy or hanging out at the pub!