The lockdown in Sydney, in place for three months, will be lifted for vaccinated residents in mid-October, authorities announced on Monday, revealing a "roadmap to freedom" as case numbers in the city decrease. Residents will once again be able to visit bars, restaurants, and shop in Sydney and New South Wales if the vaccination rate reaches 70% for those fully vaccinated against COVID-19, which Premier Gladys Berejiklian expects to achieve by October 11.
Deputy Premier John Barilaro stated that the "roadmap to freedom" would allow travel across New South Wales once 80% of those aged 16 and older are vaccinated, a milestone expected to be reached by the end of October. Unvaccinated adults will have to wait until at least December 1 to enjoy the same freedoms, by which time 90% of the eligible population is expected to be vaccinated.
Daily infections in New South Wales dropped to 800 on Monday, down from nearly 1500 cases in September, with 85% of adults having received at least one vaccine dose. While Berejiklian anticipated a rise in cases with the easing of lockdown, she expressed confidence in managing these cases. "What will protect us is that many people have received at least the first dose of the vaccine," she stated.
Australia experienced a pandemic wave in winter due to the highly infectious Delta variant, prompting the two largest cities in the country, Sydney and Melbourne, to impose lockdowns for several months. However, the vaccination campaign, which started slowly, has gained momentum, allowing for a plan to ease restrictions, which also includes the resumption of international flights by the end of the year. The capital, Canberra, also announced on Monday that it would lift the lockdown on October 15, reopening bars, beauty centers, and gyms. In mid-August, authorities had asked the city's 400,000 residents to stay home to curb the spread of the virus.
