Border rules have been

tightened for everyone - and that includes heavy goods vehicle drivers. Lorry drivers or "truckies" as they are often known in Downunder are a rather unique breed. They are often rough, tough and - dare I say this? - bits of daredevils. They take risks on the road.

I know they are often under pressure. They are often expected to adhere to unrealistic timetables. It is one reason why they will break speed limits if they think they can get away with it.

Some years ago the Senior Cat employed a man to repaint some guttering. He did a very good job too. We also discovered that, prior to setting up his own business as a painter, he was a "truckie". He did many trips through the centre of the country. Unlike some of his fellow truckies he did not have a companion he took music or audio books and a very large container of (water) ice cubes with him. He did not depend on drugs to keep him awake.  In this he was probably unusual. He also said that, because of a promise to his wife, he did not try to avoid the mandatory rest stops - but he knew many who did.  

Going even further back I knew a young man who left school unable to read much. He could write even less. His other disabilities left him unable to find any meaningful employment so he offered himself to a long distance delivery firm as a companion for drivers crossing the country. His job was to be just that, a companion. When I asked him what he did he told me that he was "in charge of meals and keeping the driver awake".  I can guess the sort of thing he would do. He did the job for years. He learned to read a map before GPS became available and, if the location was new, he could guide the driver to a destination in a busy city without a hitch. He was, rightly, proud of the fact that the only time they missed the destination first time around was because there were roadworks which had only been set up the day before.  

But truckies are largely a law unto themselves. They want to get on the move. It's a problem right now. They have to stop at the border and get a Covid19 test. They are threatening to blockade the border unless they are simply allowed through. Apparently the fact that three removal men have been traced as the source of the most recent outbreak means little or nothing to them. They claim they are being forced to wait five hours at the border - wait for testing.

Yes, I'd like things to be moving around the country too - if they are needed. At the same time if you have come from a high risk location then is there really anything wrong with getting tested? It's not going to stop the virus spreading but it will slow the spread. We might be able to contain it at least to the point where we can manage it. I'd rather go without a few things for a short time than see people become ill or businesses close their doors because of a new lock down. 

Isn't it worth waiting a few hours at the border?