SCHOOL'S out!
Coincidentally, so too are many other people and places.
Greater Sydney.
The Blue Mountains.
Wollongong.
Shellharbour.
Central Coast.
Plus all of the folk we know and love who live there.
Not to mention both Western Australia and South Australia are out of bounds to NSW for holidays and hair cuts alike.
Singing in a church is out.
Dancing in a club is also out.
Drinking while standing up in a public place is also not on right now.
Having said that, many things are very much back in throughout the southern Riverina.
Face masks are mandatory for those aged 12-plus without a medical exemption (that includes you Barnaby!).
Living in the border bubble NSW types could never risk not having a face mask in the glove box anyway in case our day went south, geographically.
The four metre square rule is also back in for indoor venues.
On the bright side, cinemas and theatres are still open on the Border during the school holidays.
With reduced capacity, we just need to book ahead.
If the global pandemic has trained us in anything, it's booking ahead to eat out or go to a show.
Walk-ins are a thing of the past.
COVID vaccinations are very much in amid the coronavirus outbreak.
A little more than 7 per cent of the population, or about 1.46 million Australians, are now fully vaccinated against COVID-19, having received two doses of the coronavirus vaccine.
Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt's office says almost 5.9 million of the eligible 20.6 million Australians have received at least one dose of the vaccine.
Now National Cabinet has mandated vaccinations for aged care workers.
MORE MATERIAL GIRL:
Face masks are mandatory for those aged 12-plus without a medical exemption (that includes you Barnaby!). Living in the border bubble NSW types could never risk not having a face mask in the glove box anyway in case our day went south, geographically.
While keeping on top of what's in and what's out, there's a few things that never get old as we navigate winter school holidays on both sides of the border in a global pandemic.
- Silver screen: Regent Cinemas Albury Wodonga is offering all of the new releases over the holidays. Think Fast & Furious 9, In The Heights, Moonbound, Cruella and Cranston Academy: Monster Zone. Widely-anticipated Black Widow premieres next week. Scarlett Johansson reprises her role as Natasha in Marvel Studios' action-packed spy thriller. Black Widow is the first film in Phase Four of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Don't forget to book online or over the counter though.
- On a roll: Check out indoor skateboard park Al's Skate Co in Wodonga. They specialise in skateboard and scooter lessons for all ages. A two-hour session costs $15 while a 30-minute skate or scoot lesson sets you back $30. The park opens daily from 10am excluding Tuesdays.
- Winter wonderland: If you missed dining out in an igloo when they first popped up in Federation Square over winter a few years back, you only need to head to Yarrawonga these school holidays. The Criterion Hotel is offering private dining domes with lake views. Enjoy grazing platters with your nearest and dearest. Bookings essential.
- Bake a cake: Remember early in the pandemic when there wasn't enough flour to go around? Now we seem to be flush for baking ingredients. Baking warms up your home and gives you an excuse to invite five friends over for afternoon tea.
- Sew what: Make some face masks. Don't be like Barnaby and get caught out not covered up!
- Binge or board-game together: Find a series to watch with the kids. I'm scaring myself silly with Stranger Things after just one episode. I'm also petrified our game of Monopoly will never end!!
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