Australia state easing Covid rules as vaccine goal met

3 years ago

Authorities in Australia’s New South Wales state say they will ease pandemic restrictions for vaccinated adults next month even as they are reporting a record 1,029 coronavirus infections and three deaths from COVID-19.

The record reported Thursday surpassed the previous high for a 24-hour period of 919 infections just a day earlier.

State premier Gladys Berejiklian says the slight easing of restrictions is coming because the state reached 6 million vaccine doses in a population of 8.2 million.

The lockdown in regional NSW has also been extended until September 10, with western NSW the area of most concern. Ms. Berejiklian has also revealed a number of small changes to restrictions. Ms. Berejiklian confirmed a slight easing of restrictions for the Sydney LGA of concerns.

Beginning Sept. 13, families in the highest-risk parts of Sydney will be allowed to leave their homes for an hour of recreation as long as any adults are fully vaccinated. The recreation hour is in addition to the hour people are already allowed out to exercise.

Elsewhere in the state, groups of five will be allowed to congregate as long as all adults are fully vaccinated.

When the state reaches 70 percent full vaccination, “a range of family, industry, community and economic restrictions” will be lifted for people who are vaccinated, Ms. Berejiklian said.

NSW Chief Health Officer Kerry Chant has confirmed that from September 13, police will be checking the vaccination status of people who are outside and what they are doing.

“Police have been consulted on this. If there are any issues of noncompliance or is causing issues, of course, the government has always changed its mind but as the premier has said repeatedly, we have to give the community the benefit of the doubt,” Dr. Chant said. “The vast majority of people in the community do not want to see their loved ones subject to COVID-19 and are doing all they can.”

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