2021 Party Update

WRITTEN BY JENNY MOWATT & PETER RUSSELL ON 3 FEBRUARY 2021

We thought it appropriate to provide an update now that we are into 2021. We can offer some tips on how to get into Victoria (currently a permit is required from every state!) and make sure you book accommodation & flights with some added protection against cancellation.

While Australia has a 'National' approach to the pandemic, due to the powers of our 'Federation of States' and the lack of a National CDC (Center for Disease Control and Prevention), much is left to the States to set their own rules and governance of the pandemic management. This creates a myriad of State based protocols and reporting thus, movement between States can (has?) become confusing.

This blog covers what is happening in Victoria and hopefully will assist your decision process regarding attending our party on May 1st. Of course we want you to come!

It also offers some helpful pointers in organising accommodation and flights in such a dynamic environment.

Read on please

Check the offical site here and get your permit

Victorian Permit System

Given the emergence of the new variants of coronavirus (UK & South Africa) and recent plus potential outbreaks in parts of Australia, Victoria introduced an entry permit system to maintain vigilance over its borders to protect the community. This scheme will support contact tracing efforts, whilst also helping Victorians and others to understand the restrictions affecting their travel.

The form (online) should take less than five minutes to complete a permit application. Your permit application will be processed automatically, again within minutes.

Our diagram illustrates the basic concept of the permit. Currently, there is one red zone (Perth), 1 orange zone (Cumberland LGA in Sydney) while the rest of the country is green - when this blog was posted!

Please check the official Victorian website using the button provided here for the latest information.

Party Planning

Planning is well underway, as we unfortunately did not get to visit NSW nor QLD as planned, only the South Australian 'Mowatt' clan had the pleasure of seeing us over Xmas.

We have selected a new caterer, Food & Desire, and have started to finalise the menu. Thankfully all other service providers are still in business and have carried over our bookings for furniture, decorations, DJ, Photobooth & the facility itself. There are still some minor details to take care of but these would have been the same irrespective of the change in date.

We will, once again, be publishing a RSVP form, in March to finalise attendance.

Tips for Accommodation & Flight Bookings

The next biggest hurdle for most of you who are coming from interstate, the bulk of you, is that of losing out on money should the party be cancelled due to further covid restrictions coming into place. The recent WA case, hotel quarantine worker being infected, is an example of this.

Accommodation

Our most helpful tip here is to use the services such as wotif.com, booking.com, etc and choose properties with a 'free cancellation' or 'cancellation flexibility' option. From our experience of late this is not that restrictive and may impose a small charge. Typically they allow your to reserve the room and pay at the property or pay and get a full refund within a period (usually 1 or 2 days) before the check-in date.

Flights

Obviously if you are flying to Melbourne it can be your biggest expense. We have never seen full refunds unless you are paying top dollar for your flights and you have 'platinum plus' airline membership or know the CEO and Jupiter is aligned with Mars. Typically they offer vouchers if you need to reschedule in situations covid related. The voucher is usually the $ value of your booking to be used against future bookings. We ourselves have one still from the first covid wave, they do however expire, so make sure you read the T & C.

What to expect in Melbourne?

Ok, we have had our share of lockdowns and restrictions during 2020, but despite what the Murdoch media reported, we are just the same fun loving bunch we were before this all happened. Things are getting back to normal, office workers are at 50% limits on occupancy so still pretty quiet in the CBD. Live theatre has recommenced (woohoo!), galleries and cafes are open (those still in business) and people laughing and drinking, drinking and drinking!

There are mask wearing requirements in place for public transport and places where you can't physically distance. I haven't seen any 'mask police' about, but the locals will generally give you that knowing nudge & wink when it's required. They are doing it with a smile, it's just that you won't be able to see it with their mask on!