For Victorians 2022 has started with a weary resignation that COVID-19 continues to dominate how we live and work, just as it did in 2020 and 2021.
Having endured six previous lockdowns, Victorians were optimistic that a new year would bring hope and a return to normality. Political leaders told us that when we reached more than 90 % double vaccinated, restrictions would lift and freedom would return.
Then Omicron arrived on our shores and hopes for a return to pre-COVID normality were cruelly dashed.
As Omicron rips through the population, hospitals are at breaking point, ambulance times have blow out as 000 struggles to keep up with a deluge of daily calls, some foods are running out, supply chains are breaking and getting your hands on a Rapid Antigen Test is akin to winning the lottery.
KR Peters Director Peter Nicolls says the Omicron wave has sapped consumer confidence.
"People are cancelling their travel holidays, day trips, restaurant bookings and are avoiding shopping centres. They are wearing their masks everywhere and holding back from catching up with loved ones from fear of the Omicron virus," he said.
"The ripple effect is staff shortages which are causing havoc across the board in all industries. Businesses have been forced to reduce trading hours and construction is struggling with the delivery of materials and trades, which is causing a blowout on completion dates.
"Mandates are returning with restrictions on social distancing.
"This time the fear is that it is only a matter of time before we contract the Omicron strain and that low case numbers is a thing of the past.
"The truth is that we have to accept that COVID is now fully ingrained in our everyday life."
Mr Nicolls says the good news is that it appears that Omicron is not as severe as Delta and the majority of people are recovering after suffering mild if any symptoms.
"With people now rolling up for their booster shots and putting into practise personal infection prevention measures, experts are hopeful that the COVID cases will start coming down and we can move on with a positive outlook," he said.
Despite the disruption of Omicron, Mr Nicolls predicts house prices will remain firm with good properties continuing to be hotly contested in 2022.
"We are still seeing a lot of interest among buyers with a good number of enquiries. Numbers did reduce, especially during the last two weeks leading into the Christmas/New Year period. They have however remained strong in the new year, though not at the same level as at the height of the market in November."
The KR Peters property management team has cancelled open for inspections and are conducting private inspections only.
"We are pre processing applicants online to ensure their eligibility prior to meeting with them at the property," Mr Nicolls explained.
"We are conducting remote routine inspections with tenants and are doing more virtual inspections with new applications. We have continued with the QR code practice for every private inspection."
Mr Nicolls said staff had resumed wearing masks and socially distancing from colleagues. Offices are cleaned daily and the office air is purified.
"We have adopted best practice procedures to ensure the safety of all our staff.
"I am optimistic that Victorians will continue to show the resilience that has got them through the last two years and that the drive to own property is as strong as ever."