MELBOURNE: Life across Australia inched toward pre-pandemic normal on Saturday with New South Wales and South Australia states allowing some dancing and Victoria permitting larger crowds at sporting occasions.
The three states, house to nearly two-thirds of Australia’s 25 million individuals, recorded no community transmissions on Saturday of the new coronavirus that causes COVID-19. For New South Wales, the most populous state, it was the 41st straight day with no local case.
The state, in addition to allowing up to 30 individuals to dance at weddings, eased further restrictions on the number of guests at home. South Australia state allowed some club dancing from Friday.
Individuals in Victoria, which this month imposed a five-day strict lockdown after a small outbreak of the coronavirus, woke up on Saturday to rules permitting stadiums to seat 50 percent of capacity for sporting events.
Australia has fared better than most advanced economies thanks to swift border closures, high community compliance with public health measures, and aggressive testing and tracing. It has reported fewer than 29,000 coronavirus infections and 909 COVID-19 deaths.
On Monday, the nation began its vaccinations program, with about 60,000 Pfizer/BioNTech doses administered to priority populations, such as aged-care and disability staff, and border safety and quarantine staff.
Overseas Minister Marise Payne stated she received the first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine on Saturday as part of the rollout that aims to offer immunizations to all Australians by October.
“The timing of the vaccination will also help facilitate possible international travel in the near future so we will continue to prosecute vital national interests with our international partners,” Payne stated in a statement.
