Melbourne abandons COVID-zero plans, focuses on rapid vaccinations

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

Victorian Prime Minister Daniel Andrews has signaled a phased easing of strict restrictions once 70% of the state’s adult residents have received at least one dose, a milestone he hopes to reach at least by September 23, on the basis of current vaccination rates.

“We threw everything at it, but it is now clear to us that we are not going to bring those numbers down, they are going to go up instead,” Andrews told reporters in Melbourne, the state capital, after a Lockdown for nearly a month has failed to quell the outbreak. Containment was due to end Thursday.

“We have to buy time to allow vaccinations to be undertaken while doing this very hard work, this very painful and difficult work, to keep as much cover as possible on the cases.”

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

The neighboring state of New South Wales, home to Sydney, on Wednesday brought forward its target date to fully immunize 70% of people over 16 by the middle of next month from the original target at the end of October, because epidemics have caused an increase in inoculation.

“No matter where you live, life will be good, much better, much freer, as long as you are 70% vaccinated,” Berejiklian told reporters. So far, 37% are fully vaccinated in the state, while 67% have received at least one dose, slightly above national figures.

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

LIVING WITH COVID

Australia is trying to bring the third wave of infections under control that has locked up more than half of its 25 million people. Sydney and Melbourne, its largest cities and the capital Canberra, are under strict stay-at-home orders for weeks.

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

The federal government is urging states and territories to stick to a national plan to reopen once vaccination rates reach 70-80%, although some virus-free states have said they may delay given the rapid increase in cases in Sydney.

Berejiklian said New South Wales would open up to international travelers when vaccinations hit 80% and it could allow people in other states to travel to Sydney, even if other states decide to not to open their borders.

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

“Stick to the plan… a plan that allows businesses to reopen and plan for their own future… a plan that allows Australia to live safely with the virus,” Frydenberg said.

Report by Renju José; Editing by Stephen Coates and Michael Perry

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