Free at last

Something extraordinary is unfolding in the state of New South Wales (NSW). The State Government has been progressively easing social distancing restrictions since 15 May. It looks increasingly likely they've timed the unwinding of our lockdown remarkably well.

According to today's newspaper, NSW has recorded zero locally-acquired coronavirus infections for a tenth day; and no new imported cases in the past 24 hours. Since May 27, the only infections reported in the state have been associated with overseas travellers under hotel quarantine.

Currently, every person entering the state from overseas is immediately transferred into a Government-funded mandatory quarantine facility. These are normally specially designated hotels and serviced apartments around Sydney.

These facilities are closely monitored. We have one near our apartment. Outside the building's main lobby is a permanent police presence while private security guards monitor the perimeter of the grounds. At first, the quarantine restrictions seemed rather harsh. However, today's news highlights how effectively they've contained new outbreaks of COVID-19. Two months ago nobody dared imagined NSW might find itself completely virus-free by mid-June.

New Zealand is currently well ahead of Australia. It's recorded no new COVID-19 cases for more than 14 days. The last person known to have contracted the virus domestically from an unknown source was diagnosed on 29 April and remained in quarantine until 18 May. Currently, it only has one active and confirmed case being monitored, an anonymous woman in Auckland who returned with the illness from overseas.

Scientists hope to declare New Zealand virus-free by 25 June i.e. 28 days of no new locally transmitted infections. This timeframe is the equivalent of two standard infection cycles. Authorities are increasingly optimistic that a trans-Tasman travel bubble could soon follow. This would allow Australians and New Zealanders to travel freely between both nations and provide a much-needed boost for the tourism and hospitality sectors of both nations.

UPDATE: 8 June 
New Zealand's last remaining virus patient has officially recovered. This means there are no active cases in the country.

UPDATE: 12 June
After a clear run for more than two weeks, a locally-acquired infection was reported in NSW today.  It's still out there!