Sometimes it feels like things happen at warp speed, and the hurtle toward national 'freedom' is no different.
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Like many others, COVID-19 lockdowns put my life on hold for months but now it feels like it's back on track and flying by faster than ever.
There are only 10 more Mondays until Christmas, after all.
Victorian Premier Dan Andrews has even sped up the end of Melbourne's lockdown to coincide with the state's growing vaccination levels, meaning Melbournians will be able to exit lockdown from this Thursday instead of October 26.
Fully vaccinated close contacts of COVID-19 cases in VIC will also be out of quarantine a lot faster, not to mention a plan to scrap hotel quarantine for interstate visitors.
The VIC Government has also announced a plan to help businesses provide outdoor services, including gyms, retailers and, bafflingly, hairdressers.
I don't know what the weather is like in Victoria on any given day but I'm not sure hairdressers would be able to contend with wind and rain?
There will be plenty of people chasing the summer sun later this year with Queensland announcing its border will be open to fully-vaxxed travellers from December 17 - or sooner.
All the way across the other side of the country, WA is preparing for its borders to reopen after not experiencing any major outbreaks of the virus thus far.
The state's COVID-19 vaccine commander is urging hesitant Western Australians "who are just deliberating and waiting for the disease to impact on them and their families" to get the jab.
Tasmania has survived its first major COVID scare with locals in the state's south exiting a snap lockdown tonight.
Mask mandates will remain in place, though.
Mask rules will also remain in place for NSW despite the state reaching it's 80 percent vaccine milestone on the weekend - faster than predicted.
This means that those receiving disaster relief payments will lose the added support in just two weeks time.
Public hearings that will form a part of ICAC's investigation into former NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian kicked off today.
Berejiklian is not expected to appear as a witness this week but a few of the state's top pollies will be called in to provide statements.
While everything else is moving at a racing pace, the government's action on climate change is positively crawling.
A four-hour meeting held today was still not enough time for the Coalition to come to an agreement on emissions targets.
And it doesn't seem like a decision will be made anytime soon.
At least we can be thankful that this wild year is almost over.
Have you started your Christmas shopping yet?
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