Australia’s Melbourne city will ease social distancing rules from next week, local officials said on Sunday, 17. This is the sixth lockdown implemented in the region, adding to the strict isolation of 262 days since March 2020. The number puts the city in the lead among places that spent the most time under lockdown, followed by Buenos Aires, Argentina, with 234 days.
“From 23:59 on Thursday, there will be no lockdown, no restriction on stepping out of the house and no curfew. Today is a big day. Today is a day when Victorians can be proud of their achievement,” said Governor Daniel Andrews.
The current 73-day lockdown, which sparked a series of protests across the country, was due to end on October 26, when 70% of those over 16 were expected to be fully vaccinated. like Increasing the application rate of the second dose, however, would allow the state to reach the target on Thursday, 21, which allowed for flexibility progress.
As of Friday 22, there will be no restrictions for residents to leave their homes and curfews, as well as travel restrictions within the metropolitan area, will be lifted. To avoid crowds, strict distance rules still apply: home visits are restricted to 10 people per day and outdoor meetings to 15 people. Establishments such as restaurants or stores can accommodate up to 20 people indoors with a full vaccination schedule or up to 50 in large outdoor areas.
In the capital Melbourne, students will also return to classes on Friday, but only for part-time, while other regions of the state can resume teaching in full. According to ReutersTravelers to New Zealand’s South Island will be exempt from quarantine from Wednesday and the government is in talks with Singapore to reopen borders for full vaccination.
Despite a surge in cases in recent months, the numbers in Australia are below average for other developed countries, which have so far recorded just over 143,000 cases and 1,530 deaths. Restrictions will be eased again when 80% of the eligible population is fully vaccinated, which is due on November 5, but advances in the deadline have not been ruled out.
