Australia can proceed with its reopening plans when the country reaches 70%-80% vaccination levels, the government's pandemic modelling adviser said, even as some states hinted they may not ease border curbs if Sydney fails to control its Delta outbreak.
Australia has suffered less from the coronavirus pandemic than many other developed countries with about 44,600 cases and 984 deaths. But a third wave of infections from the Delta variant has plunged Sydney and Melbourne, its largest cities, and capital Canberra into a weeks-long lockdown.People sit with social distancing in the quiet city centre during a lockdown to curb the spread of a coronavirus disease outbreak in Sydney, Australia, August 23, 2021.
"Let us focus on the vaccine rates because that is what will determine how we can live moving forward," New South Wales state Premier Gladys Berejiklian said. Berejiklian, who had promised more freedoms for the fully-vaccinated once total doses topped 6 million, said the state has crossed that milestone and changes will be announced later this week. Some 59% of people in NSW have had at least one dose, while 31% are fully vaccinated, slightly above the national numbers.
New South Wales reported 753 cases, down from 818 on Monday, although daily infections continue to linger near record levels. Seventy-four deaths have been reported from the latest outbreak, although the rate of deaths has slowed from last year.Prime Minister Scott Morrison acknowledged the concerns of some states from the Sydney outbreak but said "forever lockdowns" will do more harm than good to the country.
"It doesn't matter whether it's 30 cases or 800 cases, the conclusions are the same, and that's what the Doherty Institute said ... we can do this safely and we do need to do it," Morrison told Nine News on Tuesday.More from ReutersSubscribe for our daily curated newsletter to receive the latest exclusive Reuters coverage delivered to your inbox.
Deutschland Neuesten Nachrichten, Deutschland Schlagzeilen
Similar News:Sie können auch ähnliche Nachrichten wie diese lesen, die wir aus anderen Nachrichtenquellen gesammelt haben.
How Renewable Energy Surged In 2020, Despite The PandemicRenewable energy consumption bucked the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020 and soared.
Weiterlesen »
The number of child labourers has increased for the first time in 20 yearsThe rising numbers of Africa's poor—swollen by the pandemic—explain the change | Graphic detail
Weiterlesen »
Study finds US kids eat mostly junk food. Here are 6 tips to reduce sugar in kids' dietsThe coronavirus pandemic has upended much of the lives of children, and their diets too, research is showing. Here are six tips to help parents reduce the amount of sugar in their children's diets:
Weiterlesen »
Amazon Reportedly Outsold Walmart Last Year For The First TimeAmazon’s online presence and speedy delivery helped it during the pandemic.
Weiterlesen »
Trump’s Business Hauled In $2.4 Billion During Four Years He Served As PresidentForbes estimates the pandemic helped wipe about $200 million off Trump’s top line last year.
Weiterlesen »