It's now school holidays across Australia and if there's ever been a time when people felt like getting away, it's now.
But just as we thought we were coming out of the woods and could enjoy a decent break, there's been a resurgence in coronavirus cases that has put the country on edge.
There are now more than 400 active cases in Victoria and six people in Melbourne are in intensive care. The knock-on effect of the Victorian outbreak has been felt in Sydney and Darwin.
So while we may not be locked down like we were last school holidays, the situation is still very serious and those planning a holiday may be wondering whether it's a good idea.
Some of you have told the ABC you have already cancelled your trip, while others are debating whether to join extended family or friends as planned.
And while the experts don't think everyone needs to cancel travel plans, there are some potentially hard questions you should ask yourself before you pack any bags.
"We are definitely not there yet when it comes to a safe return to pre-COVID travel," Rural Doctors Association of Australia president Dr John Hall said.
It's also important to remember, there are more than 300,000 people locked down in Melbourne, as well as many vulnerable people across Australia who can't get out, so for those of us who can, the freedom should be enjoyed responsibly.
So here are some of the questions to ask yourself if you are fortunate enough to be able to head away on a break?
Where are you going?
The risk of travelling these school holidays hinges significantly on the proposed location, so it's essential to do your homework.
Most states still have partial, if not total, border closures, and for this reason it may be easier, and safer, to keep it local.
[To see the full details of each state read this explainer].
"Personally, I would stay within my state even for the next few months just to be on the more cautious side of things," virologist Sacha Stelzer-Braid from UNSW says.
"We have to wait till at least next week to see whether any of those cases from Melbourne have had an impact on the rest of the country."
But even if you are staying in your home state, you still have to consider the gradient of risk, says Professor Karin Leder, head of infectious diseases epidemiology at Monash University.
"Ask yourself — are you going from an area that's high risk to low risk, or low risk to high risk?
"People might think it's safe to go to areas with a low risk of COVID-19 but if they're coming from a place of higher risk they could potentially be a source of infection to the low-risk area."
Professor Leder says apart from Victoria, there may be no great difference in risk between point A and point B within the one state though.
However, if you or someone in your family requires access to specific health care services, you might consider whether it is worth staying at home.
What are you doing on your trip? Who will you be seeing?
Doing a road trip? Try not to stop at every town on the way there and back.
"Minimise the contact you have in towns you pass through, and stay careful with your personal hygiene routine [when you do stop]," Dr Hall says.
"Now is not the time to visit remote Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander communities — save that for a non-COVID year."
And when you get to your destination think about the way in which you will be living.
Although camping has the advantage of being outside, so aerosol transmission of COVID-19 is less likely, if you'll be in close proximity with several groups and feel no-one will take social distancing seriously, you may have to reconsider.
"You are still going to be in close proximity with others, potentially sharing food and other amenities, [and] to do that in a big group is not consistent with the public health messages," Professor Leder said.
Authorities know the second wave in Melbourne was largely caused by extended families gathering without any social distancing so we must learn from that, says Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer Alison McMillan.
"It would seem some Australians don't appreciate that COVID-19 can be dangerous, even among people they know well — including family members," she said.
So don't feel awkward about asking your friends and family about any potential exposure they may have recently had before you commit to a holiday.
And if you do go, don't be shy about asking them to stand further away.
"Sharing a house or camping facilities with a group of extended family members or family groups is one of the higher risk activities," Dr Stelzer-Braid says.
Dr Hall agrees, this winter we cannot huddle together.
"Once you have arrived at your destination, please remember to limit the sizes of gatherings; don't cosy up with your 10 neighbours in the one caravan for wine and cheese — do it outside and BYO drinks and food," he said.
"Kids will be kids and will play and hang out with their friends, so make sure they wash their hands when they are finished and keep them eating with their own family."
Are you going somewhere crowded?
Think ahead about how crowded some tourist spots will get. For example, expect the villages around ski resorts to be busy.
Some resorts are recommending you pack your own lunch or snacks for when you're out in the field and be sure to also BYO hand sanitizer.
"Being COVID safe shouldn't stop as soon as you are on holiday," Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine president Dr Ewen McPhee said.
"We strongly recommend you take your own hand sanitiser with you when skiing or boarding, and at other holiday destinations, so you can use it after opening doors to exit toilet facilities and when touching other surfaces in shared areas ... carrying small packs of antiseptic wipes with you could also be very useful."
Be aware there will be strict monitoring of social distancing on the slopes, limits on the number of people on ski lifts and snow play has even been banned at Perisher Valley, NSW.
"This season especially, don't let your ski trip become a 'me' trip," Dr Hall said.
Do you know where to get tested while you are on holidays?
The last thing anyone wants to do is get tested and self-isolate while on holiday, but if you get any symptoms while you're away, then you need to get tested.
This is also the case if you are out on the ski fields.
"Where rapid testing is available, it may be possible to remain at your accommodation while you await your test result...and hopefully the result will be negative and you can get back on the slopes," Dr Hall said.
"But if the result is positive for COVID-19, you will need to get back home to self-isolate, rather than continue your holiday and risk the health of other skiers, boarders and staff."
Who will you see when you come home?
And think about how you can mitigate risks when you return home from any holiday.
"If you’ve been away, it is probably best not to rock up to visit your elderly parents or grandparents in the first week back.
"Stay away for two weeks, to allow the incubation period to pass and if you have any symptoms get a COVID test," Dr Hall says.
If you can't get away, how will you have a mental break?
For those who aren't lucky enough to be able to get away these school holidays, it's vital you consider what you and your family need to get through this period mentally.
Most people are worn down and in need of a release so not being able to partake in normal holiday traditions will leave many frustrated and upset.
It's also a time when caregiving duties can increase.
Relationships Australia's national executive officer Nick Tebbey says unfortunately another period of school holidays where travel is not possible for some will put added pressure on some families.
"For parents especially, the dealing with the impending school holidays means they have to get really creative yet again ... on behalf of their kids," he said.
While it may not work for every family, having a plan for the holiday period could really help if you're already feeling overwhelmed.
"Talk about what the pressures are for each person in your family ... and suggest times when everyone can have alone time to look after themselves," Mr Tebbey said.
Remember this strain is not unique to your family he says, with recent research by Relationships Australia finding 42 per cent of partner relationships have been negatively impacted by COVID-19.
