Things are weird right now, there’s no denying it.
But as the authorities are telling us, self-isolation is the best chance we’ve got at containing coronavirus. So, instead of going out with mates for a coffee or down to the park for a kick of the footy, we have to start looking at the activities inside our house to keep us occupied.
Here’s a couple of things you can do to pass time this long weekend.
1. Bake something
Open your cupboard and try to make a dish using only the ingredients you’ve got available.
Experiment. Cook a meal that you’ve never cooked before or something that you’ve always wanted to try. Turn it into a little challenge with those in your house and go ‘mystery box’ style. Bonus points if you use something from your new herb garden – building it was last weekend’s project. Let’s face it, you’ve now got all the time in the world to make something else if it doesn’t turn out any good.
2. Clean out your phone
Take this time to go through those 12,034 photos and videos dating back to 2015. This can prove to be a therapeutic cleanse. Nothing better than finding some throwbacks to post onto your social accounts, reliving that amazing holiday you took in 2016 with your bestie or finding some recipe screenshots that you never got the time to make.
3. Binge watch Gossip Girl
This is the perfect time quite literally sit on your butt in front of Netflix and when your mum tells you you’re being lazy, you can reply with ‘I’m saving the world’. Because, technically, you are! It is also technically the best time to feast on all your wonderful creations that you baked from those screenshots you saved.
4. Get your game on
Dust off your PlayStation, Nintendo Switch or WII and fire up some childhood memories. If you play the right WII sports games it is theoretically a workout with all the effort that you have to put in. Therefore, that means you aren’t just ‘starring at the screen all day’ and you are being socially responsible by staying indoors – win win.
5. Have a virtual coffee date
Why not get together virtually with your friends, from the comfort of your couch. There won’t be any fighting over who gets the last piece of cake and you’ve got a good reason to leave - when your arm starts to hurt from holding up your phone. Just don’t make the mistake of ducking to the loo while still holding your phone. We have all seen that Zoom fail and we don’t think she will ever forget that one!
6. Build something
Check out what’s lying around in the garage and build something useful.
A birdbath, a small vege patch to go with your new herb garden or a mud kitchen for the kids. The ideas are endless – check out Pinterest for inspiration.
A comprehensive list of the things you can and can’t do on the Easter long weekend
If you are still a little confused about what you can and can’t do this long weekend, our friends at the Herald Sun provided this list on 8th April:
Getting away for the long weekend?
Can I go to my holiday house?
YES. If you own a second property you may travel to the holiday house provided you are only staying there with people you normally reside with. Go straight there and stay home at the holiday house, only leaving for permitted reasons. If you don’t need to go, stay at your regular residence instead.
Can I stay at an AirBnB?
NO. If you have a booking, cancel it.
Can I stay at a camping ground or caravan park?
NO. The only exception is if you are already living there permanently
Can I stay at a hotel?
NO
Can I stay at a backpackers?
NO. If you are currently in a backpacker hostel, you should regard it as your home for the purposes of the Stay at Home direction and avoid spending time in communal areas of the hostel. You may leave the hostel to board a flight out of Australia.
Will public transport services still be running?
YES but will run to a public holiday timetable.
Can I use taxis and ride-shares?
YES but only for one of the permitted purposes and by sitting in the back seat to ensure physical distancing.
Shops and Services
Can I go to the supermarket?
YES although they will have reduced trading hours for Easter.
Can I go to a fresh food market such as the Queen Victoria market?
YES. The food and drink market stalls are able to stay open although they will have reduced trading hours for Easter.
Can I go to the bottle shop?
YES, although they will have reduced trading hours for Easter.
Can I go to a shopping centre?
YES but it’s advised you should only be buying necessary goods and services. Centres will have reduced trading hours for Easter
Can I get food from a cafe or restaurant?
YES although many outlets will have reduced trading hours for Easter. Dine-in is not allowed.
Can I go to a brewery, winery or distillery?
YES but only for takeaway drinks, where that premise has a licence to sell takeaways.
Can I buy takeaway booze from a bar?
YES where that premise has the necessary licence.
Can I get food delivered?
YES but don’t allow the delivery person to enter your home and always maintain physical distancing, especially when paying and taking delivery of your meal.
Can I go to the bank?
YES although they will have reduced trading hours for Easter.
Can I go to a hardware store?
YES although they will have reduced trading hours for Easter.
Can a tradesperson come to my house to work?
YES but you must ensure physical distancing while they are there.
Can I go to the pharmacy?
YES they are deemed an essential service.
Socialising
Can I go and visit family for Easter?
NO you should not visit the homes of others and in turn you should not have any visitors during the Stay at Home direction.
Can I spend Easter with my partner who lives separately from me?
YES couples living apart are able to visit each other at home.
Can I exercise with a friend?
YES but only one other person who doesn’t live with you, and as long as you practise social distancing.
Can I get a takeaway coffee with a friend?
YES you can if it is part of a walk. However, the official advice is to have an online coffee catch-up instead.
Recreation
Can I have an Easter egg hunt at home?
YES with the people you normally reside with.
Can I have an Easter egg hunt in the park?
YES as long as you practise social distancing.
Can I take the kids to the playground?
NO all playgrounds are closed as well as skate parks and outdoor gyms.
Can I go to the beach?
In most cases, YES it is the same as walking through a park. Keep visits short and maintain physical distancing. Some beaches will be blocked off for public access so check your council website to see if beaches are closed in your area.
Can I exercise on my own?
YES you can leave your home to exercise alone, provided it’s possible to maintain appropriate physical distancing from others. This includes walking, running, bike riding or other types of exercise, such as yoga in a park.
Can I exercise with a friend or relative?
YES you can exercise with a maximum of one other person at a time, as long as you practise social distancing.
Can I kick the footy in the park?
YES either with the people you live with or one other person. Communal use of sports equipment is not allowed.
Can I play other games such as frisbee in the park?
YES same as with kicking the football
Can I go for a hike?
YES national parks remain accessible for exercise if physical distancing requirements are strictly followed. Some popular walking spots including the 1000 Steps in the Dandenong Ranges are closed so check the Parks Victoria website before you go. Park facilities including picnic shelters and tables, rotundas, toilets and viewing platforms are closed.
Can I go for a scenic drive?
NO It is deemed non-essential travel.
Can I take my teenager for a driving lesson?
NO As has been publicised this week, learner drivers can be fined. The only way they will be allowed to drive is if it is on the way to pick up food or other necessary goods, to attend work or education or for an emergency.
Can I go to the library?
NO libraries, art galleries and museums are closed.
Can I go play golf?
NO all Victorian courses are closed.
Can I play mini golf, go fishing, boating, surfing?
NO
Can I go to the swimming pool?
NO all public pools are closed.
Can I go to the zoo?
NO all zoos are closed.
Can I get a massage?
NO massage parlours and spas are closed.
Can I get a tattoo?
NO tattoo parlours are closed.
Can I get a haircut?
YES, if the salon is still open.
Can I go to the gym?
NO gyms are closed.
Places of Worship
Are Easter services going ahead?
NO all places of worship, of all denominations, are closed. Some will be offering their services via live streaming.
Are weddings allowed?
YES but it must be capped at five people – which includes the couple getting married, the celebrant and a maximum of two witnesses.
Are funerals allowed?
YES but no more than 10 mourners may attend in person.
Courtesy of the Herald Sun