SIBU, Aug 6: Malaysians staying in Melbourne, Australia are also living life under a new normal as this largest city in the country has imposed a six-week lockdown due to the spike in Covid-19 cases.
The city has imposed a lockdown from 8pm to 5am daily until at least Sept 13. Only those carrying out essential work, seeking or providing care are allowed out.
Those caught breaking the rules can be slapped with a fine of A$1,652 (RM5,000) from police who are patrolling the city’s streets
Sibu-born, Rose Kiew, 54, like others, is confining herself at her home.
“I seldom go out anywhere unless marketing. I think for four weeks already, I haven’t go out,” she said in a WhatsApp interview.
Rose, who is a permanent resident of Australia for more than 20 years, is used to working from home now.
“I’ve been working from home since my holiday back in February and I don’t really mind working from home as I don’t have to travel each way an hour,” she said.
An IT supporting staff of a company in Melbourne, she noted that working from home is even much more convenient for her as she can rest in between work.
“Everybody is connected on the computer and we had lots of calls or chat between teams, so I feel it’s also very convenient,” she asserted.
Her eldest son, is also working from home while her second son, is doing his university study online from home.
Her husband due to the nature of his work as a storekeeper, has to work in his company’s warehouse.
It takes him just 10 minutes to reach the warehouse. “He will buy food from the supermarket if we need anything or else the boys will order food delivery,”she said.
On how does the lockdown affect her, the affable Rose says she does not mind not being able to go out much “but the only sad thing is I can’t travel to another country. I miss going back to Sibu.” -DayakDaily
