Editorial
Good news people, you can all go on holiday in New South Wales again as of June 1.
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"You bewdy," is the universal cry.
Before you go, the bad news is you have to avoid crowds.
"Hang on. Wait. What?," comes the collective look of confusion in response.
"The Premier knows we live New South Wales right?"
Maybe we're overthinking it but Wednesday's announcement about a recommencement of regional tourism in NSW while stage one restrictions are in place carries with it some level of absurdity.
Like the sharp about turn on full schooling 24 hours before it, the reopening of local tourism was so jarring because it flies so directly in the face of the narrative that has been driven home to us in isolation in the early throes of the coronavirus pandemic.
Everyone gets it. This is about kickstarting the heart of the economy.
The importance of that is not lost on anybody.
Yet how exactly do we all go on holiday in this state and avoid crowds?
Where exactly are we holidaying?
The following was a direct transcript from Premier Gladys Berejiklian in her daily address on Wednesday.
"We are pleased to say from 1 June there will be no travel restrictions in New South Wales, you can go on a holiday with your family and friends but please also know the holiday you'll be taking from 1 June in the COVID safe environment will be different from the holiday you've taken before," the Pemier said.
"Please take extra care in booking ahead, booking online and making sure you keep away from large crowds and protect your family and friends as you are holidaying.'
Righto then ...
To be fair, everyone understands the point. It's about using common sense and exercising the key components of social distancing and hand hygiene that we all know and understand well now.
Yet, from June 1, it might be easier to avoid a crowd holidaying in Sydney than on the South Coast.