- The Australian Government warns of a rise in infections as restrictions eased.
- Covid Delta outbreak was observed in several major Australian cities.
- Demonstrations were held in Melbourne and Sydney to protest against the extended lockdowns.
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison hinted at an end to the country’s zero Covid-19 infections strategy warning Australians to expect a rise in infections as restrictions relax, reports CNN.
Covid Scenario in Australia
Australia is one of the countries that has attempted to eradicate Covid-19 entirely within its borders and has been largely successful. Only 44,026 verified-Covid cases and 981 deaths have been reported in Australia so far. However, officials are attempting to contain an outbreak of the Covid-19 Delta type in numerous major Australian cities, including Sydney, Melbourne, and Canberra.
Lockdown Protests
Many were arrested as thousands of people marched to the streets of Melbourne and Sydney to protest the extended lockdowns. During the heated battles, at least seven police officers were hurt.
The Lockdown Strategy
“The lockdowns are sadly necessary for now, and we will keep providing health and income support to get people through, Morrison added,” but they won’t be necessary for too much longer.”
The Australian Government aims to shift the focus from reducing cases to examining how many people from the Covid-19 patients get seriously ill and need hospitalization.
While Morrison didn’t give a strict timeline of when the new strategy would be implemented, he said once Australia reached its national vaccination targets of 70% and 80%, “we can start claiming back what Covid has been taking away from us.”
Future Plan
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced a tentative plan to reopen vaccinated passengers from low-risk nations in early 2022. However, she expressed concern about significant outbreaks of the virus within New Zealand.
“Principle number one will remain … maintaining our elimination strategy to stamp out the virus, so we can maintain our hard-won gains and keep our options open,” she said at the time.
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Source: CNN
