Australia pandemic team backs reopening targets

Gulf Today Report

Australia can proceed with its reopening plans when the country reaches 70%-80% vaccination levels as Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the nation must start to learn to live with COVID-19 when higher vaccination targets are reached.

The government's pandemic modelling adviser said, even as some states hinted they may not ease border curbs if Sydney fails to control its Delta outbreak.

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"This level of vaccination will make it easier to live with the virus, as we do with other viruses such as the flu," it said in a statement late on Monday. "Once we reach 70% vaccine coverage, opening up at tens or hundreds of cases nationally per day is possible." Currently, 30% of Australia's adult population has been fully vaccinated while 53% have had at least one dose.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison speaks during an event.

 The Melbourne-based Doherty Institute said the country's focus must shift to limiting the number of COVID-19 deaths and hospitalisations, from its current zero-cases strategy, when at least 70% of the country's population above age 16 is fully vaccinated.

"This level of vaccination will make it easier to live with the virus, as we do with other viruses such as the flu," it said in a statement late on Monday. "Once we reach 70% vaccine coverage, opening up at tens or hundreds of cases nationally per day is possible."

Currently, 30% of Australia's adult population has been fully vaccinated while 53% have had at least one dose.