Australia’s largest cities, Sydney and Melbourne, including Canberra, started observing strict lockdown measures nearly four months ago.
Australia was able to keep COVID-19 infections at bay for the better part of the pandemic. But, following the Delta outbreak in Sydney, the country’s largest cities entered their respective lockdowns.
Officials and authorities have ditched all efforts to eliminate COVID-19. Instead, they have focused on vaccinating the majority of the population to lift restrictions gradually.
On Thursday, state Premier Dominic Perrottet announced that New South Wales reached its vaccination target of 70 percent. This is why COVID-19 restrictions will be “eased further” across the state from October 11, according to Reuters.
“Freedom Monday” across Sydney, New South Wales
Starting Monday, fully vaccinated residents of Sydney, and all of New South Wales, may leave their homes for any purpose or reason. These include visiting stores, pubs, gyms, and cinemas. While open, though, businesses will reportedly remain under “strict social distancing rules.”
Ten guests, up from five, will be allowed for indoor gatherings, as long as all are double jabbed. At weddings and funerals, the number of visitors will also be raised to 100.
In offices, wearing masks will no longer be mandatory. Moreover, nightclubs can reportedly “partially reopen” to vaccinated individuals upon hitting the 80 percent vaccination target.
The key to freedom is vaccination
Speaking to reporters in Sydney, state Premier Dominic Perrottet said that the “key to [our] freedom” is vaccination. He also acknowledged the efforts of the New South Wales residents, noting that this has ensured the state to “open up as quickly and safely as possible.”
Australia’s Prime Minister, Scott Morrison also shared a few words about the reopening announcement. He stated that the “light at the end of the tunnel” is now very close to the country.
Meanwhile, the new measures do not apply to unvaccinated state residents. To ensure that they will continue to stay at home until December 1, New South Wales will use a vaccination-passport system.
A “precipitous reopening” for NSW?
Despite the good news, some experts have concerns about the state’s exit from lockdown. As asserted, they reportedly believe that New South Wales may be reopening too soon, with some calling it “precipitous.”
Gulf News reported that the government’s own health advice from the Doherty Institute recommended an 80-percent vaccination target, instead of 70. This is likely the reason why states outside Sydney will keep their borders shut to New South Wales.
Images courtesy of 9 News Australia/YouTube