"If you want the freedoms we are talking about right across the board, you're going to have to be vaccinated." The federal government's national reopening scheme is predicated on Australia reaching a 70-80% vaccination rate for its adult population. Victoria, home to Melbourne, is expected to relax some curbs from Wednesday when the state's first-dose vaccination rate is forecast to tick over 80%. Officials reported 705 new cases in the state on Monday, the third straight day of decline, and one new death. The fatality rate, however, has slowed this year due to the higher vaccination levels among the most vulnerable.

Source: bd News24 September 27, 2021 00:22 UTC