Melbourne eliminates COVID-zero plans and focuses on rapid vaccines

SYDNEY, September 1 (Reuters) – Australian authorities on Wednesday extended the closure of COVID-19 in Melbourne for another three weeks as they shift their focus to rapid vaccination actions and move away from a strategy of suppression to reduce cases to zero.

Victorian Prime Minister Daniel Andrews noted a moderate escalation of tough restrictions once 70% of the state’s adult residents receive at least one dose, a milestone he hopes to reach at least Sept. 23, according to rates current vaccination.

“We’ve thrown it all away, but now we’re clear that we’re not going to cut those numbers, they’re going to increase them,” Andrews told reporters in Melbourne, the state capital, after a closure for nearly a month failed to stifle the outbreak. The closing was due to end on Thursday.

“We need to gain time to allow vaccination all the time by doing this very hard, very hard and difficult work, to keep the lid on as much as we can in cases.”

New local cases rose to 120 in Victoria from 76 a day earlier. Of the new cases, 100 have spent time in the community while they are infectious.

The neighboring state of Sydney-based New South Wales on Wednesday advanced the planned date for fully vaccinating 70% of people over the age of 16 by the middle of next month from the initial target of late October, as the shoots caused an increase in inoculation.

“No matter where you live, life will be much, much better, much freer, as long as you get 70% vaccinated,” Berejiklian told reporters. So far 37% have been completely vaccinated in the state, while 67% have had at least one dose, slightly higher than the national figure.

A total of 1,116 new cases were detected in New South Wales, up from 1,164 the day before. NSW reported four new deaths, bringing to 100 the total number of deaths in the latest outbreak.

LIVING WITH CVVID

Australia is trying to gain control over the third wave of infections that has blocked more than half of its 25 million people. Sydney and Melbourne, its largest cities, and Canberra, the capital, are on strict orders to stay home for weeks.

Despite recent outbreaks, it has managed to keep its coronavirus figures relatively low, with just over 55,000 cases and 1,012 deaths.

The federal government is pressuring states and territories to adhere to a national reopening plan once vaccination rates reach 70% -80%, although some virus-free states said they could be delayed due to the rapid rise in Sydney cases.

Berejiklian said New South Wales will be open to international travelers when vaccinations reach 80% and that it can allow people residing in other states to fly to Sydney, even if other states decide not to open their own. borders.

Federal Treasurer Josh Frydenberg urged state leaders to follow national reopening plans.

“Follow the plan … a plan that allows companies to reopen and plan their own future … a plan that leads Australia to live safely with the virus,” Frydenberg said.

Reports of Renju Jose; Edited by Stephen Coates and Michael Perry

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