Australia Also Moves to 'With Corona'... Stepwise Lifting of Lockdown Orders in Sydney and Other Areas

[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Jae-hee] The Australian state of New South Wales (NSW), led by Sydney, plans to lift its COVID-19 lockdown, which has been in place for three months, in three stages.

According to the Australian daily The Australian on the 28th, Gladys Berejiklian, Premier of NSW, announced the day before that the lockdown would be eased in three stages based on 70%, 80%, and 90% second-dose vaccination rates among those aged 16 and over.

Based on the current vaccination trend, NSW's second-dose vaccination rate is expected to reach 70% and 80% around November 11 and 25, respectively, and then 90% before December 1.

The NSW lockdown easing plan will mostly apply only to those who have completed vaccination, while restrictions on the unvaccinated are expected to remain until the 90% vaccination rate is reached.

Regarding this, Premier Berejiklian said, "Today will be a very disappointing day for those who are not yet vaccinated," adding, "We expect that when the vaccination rate reaches 80%, they will also be granted considerable freedom, but they will still have to wait another 5 to 6 weeks after that."

When the second-dose vaccination rate reaches 70% on November 11 in NSW, restrictions such as curfews and the 5km travel limit outside the home will be lifted for those fully vaccinated, and attendance at religious events will be allowed.

Additionally, businesses such as restaurants, retail stores, fitness centers, and hair salons will reopen, and outdoor weddings and funerals will be allowed with up to 50 attendees.

However, wearing face masks indoors will remain mandatory, and a space of 4 square meters per person must be maintained.

But for the unvaccinated, current lockdown measures such as curfews will continue to apply.

At the 80% vaccination stage, community sports activities will also be allowed only for those fully vaccinated, and restrictions on the number of attendees at weddings and funerals will be lifted.

Unvaccinated individuals will be allowed to participate in religious events and attend weddings and funerals with up to 5 and 10 people, respectively.

NSW plans to implement the third stage of easing, which will lift almost all restrictions and allow overseas travel once more than 6 million people have completed vaccination and the vaccination rate surpasses 90%.

Premier Berejiklian predicted, "It is likely that the 90% target will be achieved by December 1, which is 4 to 6 weeks after reaching 80% second-dose vaccination."

According to Our World in Data, as of the 27th, the first and second-dose COVID-19 vaccination rates for those aged 16 and over in NSW were 85.7% and 60.5%, respectively.