Spring starts when?
Greetings volunteers and readers to the start of Spring, unofficially on September 1, but really with the Spring Solstice on September 23 this year. The Bureau of Meteorology is advising not to pack away jumpers and coats just yet. There have been lots of early blooming flowers and shrubs, even my own Carolina jasmine which has produced an abundance of sweet-smelling yellow flowers and the best showing in over 20 years.
More Covid news
I hope you all enjoyed our cartoonist norrie’s Covid Snakes and Ladders last month (rumour has it an actual boardgame is in production!). Here we are, back in lockdown for another month until the end of September, and perhaps beyond for Greater Sydney, with the whole state in lockdown until September 10.
Masks: Fully fitted masks are now mandatory outdoors throughout the state and indoor mask-wearing (except at home) still applies.
Singles Bubble (Nominated Visitor): This seems to have caused a lot of confusion with mixed messages about who can and who cannot visit you at home. As far as I’ve been able to ascertain, people who live alone can nominate one person, friend or family member to visit; it should be the same person for the whole of the lockdown, and this person should live within 5kms of your home. (New orders have been made in the case of your nominated person now being unable to attend and a replacement person nominated). In Greater Sydney (except in the LGAs of concern) you do not need to register your Nominated Visitor with Service NSW.
Covid-19 Check-in Card: Introduced since August 13, this card can be presented at supermarkets and retail businesses to scan if you don’t have a smartphone or don’t like using the Service NSW QR code app. You can apply by calling Service NSW on 13 77 88, or register online www.service.nsw.gov.au. The site is notifying delays in processing and sending out plastic cards due to high demand.
Local libraries
If you are regular library user like me, you will be missing your usual exchange of books, magazines, etc., as all libraries are closed. You can access digital collections, e-books, newspapers, films and many other things of interest. If you have a query or need assistance you can contact the City of Sydney’s library team on 9265 9333 or library@cityofsydney.gov.au/. Libraries in other Local Government Areas offer similar services.
SSH Instagram Gallery
Do you remember our Instagram Gallery: http://southsydneyherald.com.au/. If you are a keen photographer, even while in lockdown, we’d love to see your photos of things close to you, or in your view, or even of you. Tag your Instagram pics #sshphotos with a chance to be included in the best five photos each month.
Goodbye for this month, take care of your mental health, as well as your physical wellbeing. Our thoughts reach out to those now suffering Covid and its variant Delta, and to those families and friends who have lost loved ones recently. Be vigilant when you are out and about, as extremely high fines now apply for people breaching stay-at-home restrictions.
Until next time,
Pat Clarke
volunteers@ssh.com.au
