The announcement of this week's snap lockdown was swift after removalists from NSW did not wear masks while working at a Melbourne apartment complex, infecting residents.

The speed at which the state's chief health officer and Premier Daniel Andrews moved to introduce the five-day lockdown spoke volumes for their concerns about the pace the Delta variant spreads.

We are right to be frustrated with the lockdown because the selfishness, idiocy and evasiveness of three rogue removalists have ruined our progress back to normalcy.

We expect police action will be taken against these people because their actions can't be repeated.

This is our fifth lockdown since the pandemic began in March last year. The public health benefits are obvious and we cannot undermine health and safety messages.

But fatigue is setting in. Good mental health has never been harder to achieve.

We can continue to implore people to do the right things but it is inevitable there will be outbreaks. The quickest way to getting back to normalcy is vaccinations. There is no doubt the federal government has made a mess of the rollout but in the words of Cher we can't turn back time no matter how much we want to. Everyone should have been given an opportunity to be vaccinated by now, the quicker that happens the better. The wheels are moving but too slowly.

If you are willing to be vaccinated, the events of the past week show now is the time. South West Healthcare is developing a waiting list, Portland's hospital already has one. These are essential in making it easier for people to access the vaccines. We are fortunate the south-west has not seen the harsh realities of the virus on people but the reality is the fear of the virus' impacts have taken significant personal and economic tolls.

We are closer to getting through this than before but the pandemic's end can't come soon enough.