10.00 am Thursday the 13th of March 2020 - "The Australian Grand Prix has been cancelled" a man from the Australian Grand Prix Corporation with police by his side declares over a megaphone to the hundreds of fans lined up at the gates.
Inadvertently the cancellation of the Melbourne F1 Grand Prix turned out to be the time stamp for when Covid-19 and its life-changing implications had arrived in Australia.
14th of March 2020 - LOCKDOWN ACT 1 .
It started with a ban on crowds larger than 500. For the first time in a century, non-essential mass gatherings were banned and the term 'social distancing' had started to enter the vernacular.
18th of March 2020 - LOCKDOWN ACT 2
In the space of 4 days, the ban of 500 people indoors turned into 100. Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison declared the country to be under a "biosecurity emergency" and social distancing was no longer a buzz word for the interim, it was a here to stay.
With restrictions of 100 people in indoor venues, restaurants and bars were on the cusp of imminent closure. Some kept their doors open albeit with tables 1.5 meters apart, but with only a few patrons willing to go out, it needn't matter.
For some large nightclubs such as Ms Collins with a capacity of 800 people it wasn't viable be open.
23rd of March 2020 - LOCKDOWN ACT 3
The reality of life under Covid-19 had arrived. You couldn't visit your friends, you couldn't go to the gym, the Church or even dine at your favourite lunchtime haunt. Retail businesses evaluated the viability of opening their doors, for most, it wasn't feasible. Within a week, shopping centres turned into ghost towns, escalators were turned off and face mask clad security guards outnumbered customers. With no traffic, food delivery scooters ruled the streets, no longer were they competing with other traffic, they were the traffic!
23rd of March 2020 - Recreational activities or any physical activity involving more than two people was banned. Gyms and fitness classes were cancelled and local councils took steps to prevent the gathering of crowds by closing swimming pools, parks, playgrounds and some beaches.
Ghost-town
With shops closed and city workers either working from home, forced to take leave or worse; the bustling central business district was abnormally deserted. With minimal foot traffic, the usually well-trodden paths and intersections were now the hunting ground for seagulls struggling to find their usual after lunch scraps.
Adapting to Isolation
With large gatherings by this point a thing of the past and the ensuing cancellation of concerts, music festivals and events here to stay for some time; musicians and their ancillary support crews have been without work. However, as always the show went on, albeit online. One successful example of this was Isol-Aid. Where artists performed live via their Instagram pages for 20 minutes often from their living rooms.
25th of April 2020 Anzac Day
Traditional Anzac Day ceremonies held throughout the country had been cancelled due the restrictions on large gatherings of people. Australians were still encouraged to honour the fallen by observing Anzac Day commemorations from their driveways.
As Coronavirus cases decline, testing ramps up
27th April 2020 - COVID-19 testing expanded across Australia as the government looks to ease current lockdown restrictions. Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews and Victorian Minister for Health Jenny Mikakos announced a major testing blitz across the State of Victoria, intending to test 100,000 Victorians. With testing facilities taking places not just at hospitals but shopping centre car parks and Bunnings. “By increasing the testing for coronavirus and widening the testing criteria, it gives us more evidence and therefore more options when it comes to slowly lifting restrictions.” said Daniel Andrews.
Medical practitioners conducting tests for Covid-19 at a drive through testing facility in a undercover carpark at the Chadstone Shopping Center on April 30, 2020
Words and photos by Asanka Brendon Ratnayake
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Images taken on assignment for Getty Images throughout March and April 2020.
Asanka Brendon Ratnayake is a Melbourne based freelance Photojournalist. Having built the foundation of his career working in the demanding and unpredictable Asian region; Asanka has established a reputation as an attentive, ethical and diligent reporter with the versatility and experience suited for International news publications and agencies.
Asanka Brendon is currently located in his hometown of Melbourne Australia and is available for commissioned editorial, sport, reportage, documentary, humanitarian/NGO & commercial work worldwide. He is also a member of the Frontline Freelance Register.
You can view tearsheets and published work here www.abrfoto.com/p/published
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Photos by Asanka Brendon Ratnayake (C) Getty Images 2020