COVID-19: NSW extends lockdown for another month, to end September

In a press conference today, the Premier of New South Wales announced that the state would be extending its lockdown until the end of September – just prior to the October long weekend.

The previous end date was 28 August.

We also have to wear a mask outside, and if unfortunate enough to live in the suburbs of most concern, we would be subject to a 9 pm to 5 am curfew.

Did Qantas know?

Interestingly, I have a booking with Qantas to fly between Sydney and Adelaide in mid-September. Late last night an amended booking came through from Qantas. It cancelled my original direct flight and put me on one via Melbourne. On checking this morning, all my alternatives were indirect flights. My favourite option in terms of points and status credits would be the option via Brisbane and Perth. However given the complications of state border restrictions, I’m not sure I’m game for that anymore.

It doesn’t look like there are any direct flights between Sydney and Adelaide for September.

Is no direct flights in early October a bad sign?

I had a quick check on the Qantas website and there are no direct SYD-ADL flights right up until Monday 11 October, and even then it’s only 3 flights a day. In the interim, Jetstar is still running roughly 2 flights a day.

This makes it look like Qantas is betting on a further extension of the NSW lockdown into October, or maybe they are just allowing a week or two for South Australia to eliminate its border restrictions on NSWelshman.

2PAXfly Takeout

This is another timely reminder to wear your seatbelt when seated. Holding you close to your seat will protect you from the sort of injuries sustained on this flight, when unsecured passengers flew to the ceiling of the aircraft, and then came crashing down once the ‘drop’ ceased.

The hope will be that this is an anomaly – a ‘freak accident’ in casual parlance. If it is a systemic error either mechanical or electronic, then this is a larger concern for the airlines that fly Boeing Dreamliner 787 aircraft. Let’s hope it isn’t. If it is, it will pile on the woes to Boeing’s existing stack.

Well, this extension of the Lockdown in NSW, and the cancellation of Qantas direct flights is no surprise. The extension given the soaring figures lately was on the cards. SA has a now justified (by Delta) trigger finger on border closures, so the reduction in flights, and giving them off to the low-cost carrier in the Qantas group is sensible.

I just wish that I am right to be hopeful that once the latest outbreak across Australia is under control, we vaccinated travellers might get a little bit more freedom.

I have no self-interest in this of course.