There is always that sense of daily anticipation as Melburnians wait for the daily number of new COVID-19 cases to be released. But it's not the number of new cases that are important for getting out of lockdown. Instead, it's the percentage of the population who have had two doses of the vaccine that matters.
When the lockdown was implemented in early August, the Government thought two weeks would be enough. Unfortunately, the Delta variant took hold, and the number of cases shot through the roof. There was now little or no hope of returning to zero cases and then out of lockdown.
The Government changed direction and adopted a vaccination strategy. When we reached 70% single dose this week, we got a few extra freedoms, but we will need to wait until 70% double doses before we see any significant freedoms return. To their credit, Melburnians have rallied and are lining up for vaccines as fast as we can, so we should be close by the end of October.
Tomorrow, the Premier will outline the roadmap out of lockdown. Let's hope it is good news on easing restrictions, and we can all feel some hope that we will be out of lockdown sooner than later.
When the lockdown was implemented in early August, the Government thought two weeks would be enough. Unfortunately, the Delta variant took hold, and the number of cases shot through the roof. There was now little or no hope of returning to zero cases and then out of lockdown.
The Government changed direction and adopted a vaccination strategy. When we reached 70% single dose this week, we got a few extra freedoms, but we will need to wait until 70% double doses before we see any significant freedoms return. To their credit, Melburnians have rallied and are lining up for vaccines as fast as we can, so we should be close by the end of October.
Tomorrow, the Premier will outline the roadmap out of lockdown. Let's hope it is good news on easing restrictions, and we can all feel some hope that we will be out of lockdown sooner than later.