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Unfolding Stories
Australia’s 'groundhog day' to end when more vaccinated
With over half of all Australians stuck in weeks-long lockdowns to curb the highly infectious Delta strain, Morrison said the country had to move forward and start reducing restrictions as more people became vaccinated.
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ustralia must start to learn to live with COVID-19 when higher vaccination targets are reached, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said on Monday, despite concerns in some states about the impact of a surge in cases in Sydney.
With over half of all Australians stuck in weeks-long lockdowns to curb the highly infectious Delta strain, Morrison said the country had to move forward and start reducing restrictions as more people became vaccinated.
"[Lockdowns] cannot go on forever. This is not a sustainable way to live in this country," he said during a televised media conference in Canberra.
"This groundhog day has to end, and it will end when we start getting to 70 percent and 80 percent [vaccination rates]."
Morrison spoke just as tighter restrictions took effect in Australia's largest city, Sydney. As of Monday, masks are mandated outside the home, except when exercising, and a nighttime curfew is in place in the 12 worst-affected council areas.
The federal government last month unveiled a four-stage plan to relax restrictions once 70 percent of its 25 million people aged over 16 are vaccinated, with stringent lockdowns "unlikely" to be required.
When vaccination coverage reaches 80 percent only "highly targeted lockdowns" would be necessary and inoculated Australians would be free to travel interstate.
