COVID-19: Queensland extends lockdown, Melbourne not

The Delta strain is causing state borders to open and close at a rapid rate.

New South Wales is in lockdown until 28 August.

Melbourne and Victoria are out of lockdown – for the moment, but don’t get too smug down there, your rates still aren’t under control.

Queensland has had an outbreak, and the southeast corner went into a 3-day lockdown as of 4 pm on Saturday 31 July.

That lockdown has now been extended until Saturday at 4 pm, making it a 7 day lockdown.

The Queensland lockdown covers 16 LGA’s (local government areas). Queensland has recorded an outbreak of 9 locally acquired cases, seeming to emanate from an active 17-year-old student. They have genetically analysed the strain, which matches one in hotel quarantine, but have not yet found the ‘missing link’ of transmission – hence the snap lockdown and its extension.

Looks like AMA’s Queensland President, Dr Chris Perry who does not think the lockdown will end as scheduled on Tuesday was correct.

2PAXfly Takeout

The aviation industry has a difficult road ahead when it comes to sustainability. It’s going to require a relative revolution in technology, with ‘electric planes’ or hydrogen planes, or some form of jet engine that doesn’t require a carbon based fuel. And that is going to require the development of an alternative to jet engines probably.

It’s a big ask. It will take time to develop.

This move to home grown and manufactured SAF is a first step – maybe even a baby step in a very long road of innovation. In the long run, US$200 million won’t even touch the sides.

I have an inkling this outbreak is going to be a doozie, difficult to control. Those predicting it will take mass vaccination to lift the lockdown may, unfortunately, be right.