The New South Wales and Victorian Premiers have started to outline their plans for restrictions to be eased and more freedoms implemented, once double-dose vaccination rates hit 70 per cent.
Both Gladys Berejiklian and Daniel Andrews their states will face tough times in the coming weeks until that point is reached, but more freedoms will come when it happens.
Speaking at her press conference this morning, Premier Berejiklian said modelling indicates it will get worse before it gets better in NSW.
“The worst will be the next couple of weeks because the impact of the vaccinations takes about two or three weeks,” she said.
“We know there is always a lag between when someone gets ill and when they end up in hospital and we anticipate, given where case numbers are, and given the rate of vaccination, that the highest rate of hospitalisation will occur at some stage in October.”
But looking ahead the Premier said things will improve for those people who are vaccinated, once the state hits 70 per cent vaccination rate.
“No matter where you live, life will be much, much better, much freer, as long as you’re vaccinated,” she said.
“We’ll provide details as soon as we can. We’re obviously taking input from stakeholders, from our health experts and also comparing it to the national plan.”
The Premier added: “This is the month we’re asking everyone to get ready to open up again.
“If you’re a business start dusting off your COVID safety plan.
“Make sure your employees are vaccinated so we can get back to life at 70 per cent double-dose vaccination which we anticipate will happen somewhere around the middle of October.
“That’s the date we’re working towards. Initially it was the end of October but because of the rates we’re seeing people come forward that could be as early as mid-October.”
The Premier did also say that she anticipated the health advice would still put capacity restrictions in place, QR Code checking in will still be required, but she added: “I’m looking forward to being able to go to a restaurant, I’m looking forward to being able to have a drink with friends.”
Meanwhile in Victoria Premier Andrews said that after the state recorded 120 new cases yesterday, health advice had changed.
In a statement, the Premiers office said: “With the number of positive cases this high, the speed at which this Delta variant is spreading and so many Victorians still to be vaccinated, our Chief Health Office advises it is unlikely we will be able to bring our case numbers down.
“Throughout this pandemic we’ve always followed the health advice. Today is no different.
“Due to the ongoing level of community transmission and the continued number of unlinked cases popping up across the state, Victoria’s lockdown will be extended.
“Victorians cannot afford to open up and let this virus run free – our hospital system would be overrun, our frontline staff would be placed under too much pressure and quite simply, people would die. We need to continue to slow the spread of the virus until more of us are vaccinated.”
When 70 per cent of Victorians have had at least one vaccine dose the state will look to ease restrictions a little further.
The statement said: “At that point, the 5km radius will expand to 10km – so exercise and shopping can take place up to 10km from your home. If there’s no shops in your 10km radius, you’ll be able to travel to the ones closest to you.
“Victorians will be able to exercise for an extra hour, for up to three hours per day. Outdoor personal training will be allowed with up to two people plus the trainer. Outdoor communal gym equipment and skateparks will reopen.
“As we reach the national cabinet threshold of 70 per cent and 80 per cent of people double dose vaccinated in Victoria, we will ease more restrictions at set intervals, as part of the National Plan to transition Australia’s National COVID-19 Response.”
The Premier said: “This is not where we wanted to be as a community, but we need to keep cases low so we can get more people vaccinated.
“So my message is: if you are over 18 and you want to keep you and your family safe, don’t wait. AstraZenca is available now. Make a booking to get vaccinated.”