What does a COVID-normal Christmas look like?

As a kid, we'd count the days, hours and if we understood the concept, the number of nanoseconds until Christmas was officially here. Even as adults, we secretly countdown until December 25 rolls around, because we know we get to spend time with our loved ones, eat something nice and even receive a gift.

It's an excellent way to start the last week of the year, which is traditionally a relaxed time.

Six weeks ago, the aforementioned beauty that is Christmas was at risk because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The holiday season at risk of becoming an afterthought. Classic 2020.

Thankfully, the community did the right thing - wore masks, socially distanced and practised good hygiene - and we can reap the rewards.

First and foremost: the state has recorded 23 days of no new coronavirus cases and no deaths.

Additionally, restrictions have eased. In a press conference on Sunday, the premier used an analogy everyone could understand to explain the new rules.

"If you go to Bunnings, in store you need to wear a mask, in the car park you don't need to wear a mask but if you queue up for a sausage with other people not keeping a distance apart you need to put a mask on."

What would that look like in Horsham? "If you go to the Plaza, inside you need to wear a mask. As you race across the car park to escape the heat you don't need to wear a mask, but if you queue up for hotdog and shake at Wendys with other people not keeping a distance apart you need to put a mask on."

Finally, large family Christmas gatherings are back on the menu with up to 30 people, including dependents, allowed to visit homes from 11.59pm on Sunday, December 13, allowing families to enjoy Christmas Day together.

Just remind Aunt Carol to sanitise her hands after licking BBQ sauce off her fingers. No amount of government restrictions will stop me from telling bad jokes.

Ben Fraser, Editor.