Trying to Cheer Myself Up

I haven't been going out much in the last couple of weeks as there is a huge outbreak of Omicron here. This is, of course, going on all over the world, but here our government is sticking by their dynamic zero policy, which means they want zero COVID cases in the community. This means an endless round of closures (nearly everything is shut), lock downs and compulsory testing.

My friend, who travelled across Hong Kong today to visit his mother, sent me pictures of the huge queues of people waiting to be tested in various districts he passed through. Here in Discovery Bay we have to get tested by Sunday or face a HK$10,000 fine, that's around £1000 each. If you are positive with symptoms, you will be sent to hospital. If you are positive and asymptomatic, you will be sent to a quarantine centre. If you are a close contact of someone who is positive, you have to stay home and self isolate while wearing a tracking tag.

From February 24th we need a vaccine passport in order to enter a shop, restaurant or any other public building. In fact, the only thing you don't need it for, so far, is transport. Not sure where you would be going without one, as you aren't allowed in anything!! We are both double vaccinated and I've booked us both a booster. Later on, I think around June, you'll need to prove you have had a booster or lose your vaccine passport.

I went and took a look at the queues here today, but didn't join them yet. I think queuing will be how we are spending tomorrow. Since Peter is elderly and can't stand for long periods of time, I'll take a folding chair with us.

After looking at the queues, I went to photograph anything I could see that was colourful or beautiful in an attempt to cheer myself up. I also did a bit of food shopping in case we get forced to self isolate. Self isolation is the lesser of all the evils.

Flowers on my cheer myself up walk.

Flowers on my cheer myself up walk.

Flowers on my cheer myself up walk.

Flowers on my cheer myself up walk.

Flowers.

I watched some dog walkers taking all the dogs they have to look after for a walk. Seeing someone walking around ten dogs at a time here is fairly common.

Dog walkers.

Dog walkers.

I took some photos of views and interesting features as I walked to the supermarket

Flowers and views.

Views.

Love Padlocks.

Art work.

There are still lots of things around to celebrate Chinese New Year, though the celebratory atmosphere is somewhat lacking as you can probably imagine.

Firecrackers.

Windmills.

Brightly coloured fruit.

Brightly coloured fruit.

Brightly coloured fruit.

Brightly coloured fruit.

Cheerful Flowers.

Cheerful Flowers.

Cheerful Flowers.

Cheerful Flowers.

Cheerful Flowers.

Let's see what tomorrow brings.