Above: Released on the official first day of summer, 1 Dec 2020.
My flight touched down around 0840 on Tuesday two weeks ago, so I am allowed out from Managed Isolation at the same time today. But due to traffic for Kim coming to pick me up during rush hour, I advised the facility that I would leave at 0930.
The information sheet indicated that the nurses would summon for me by phone for a final health-check within 3h of the departure time I had arranged. But should they not call me by 30 mins prior to the departure time, then I’m OK to go down to their office for the check.
Since I hadn’t heard from them by 0900, I went downstairs. The kind nurse went through a list of symptoms for which I was all negative and stamped my form. I returned to my room to gather the rest of my luggage. I had earlier shifted some down to the departure area already.
I proceeded to the departure area where a Navy officer exchange the nurse’s form for a letter confirming that I had completed my Managed Isolation. I was finally free. But possibly, I could have been anyone. Neither the nurse nor the Navy officer asked for any identification They just asked for a room number! This is New Zealand after all.
Kim’s car was shorter and lower than the others in the carpark and I had trouble finding him, even though the carpark wasn’t big or busy. Once in the car, I took of my mask. I no longer have to wear one in public, for the first time in months. Because Covid-19 is not currently in the community in New Zealand, it isn’t a requirement in public except on public transport.
We went to Mt Wellington where he had organised the purchased of my car. I had asked him to sell my previous car when I learnt that my flight had been cancelled and the route suspended till March 2021. The Toyota Mark X was an update of a very familiar car. I had had that model for maybe 2o years, buying each successive iteration.
The car, on the way home, was just as nice as my previous. At home, I was greeted by Nyoman, our cat. My life has resumed! It was a day of several firsts:
- First day of no longer having to wear a mask in public (but required if on public transport).
- First day of my new car.
- First day of summer, officially.
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- First day of no longer having to wear a mask in public (but required if on public transport).
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- First day of a new car. When my flight back to New Zealand was cancelled (resumes in March), I sold my car.
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- Nyoman (meaning Third Child) was pleased to see me.
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- First day of summer, officially.