SYDNEY: Millions in Melbourne are readying to come out of the world's longest COVID-19 lockdown later on Thursday even as cases hover near record levels, with pubs, restaurants and cafes rushing to restock supplies before opening their doors.
Since early August, residents in Australia's second-largest city have been in lockdown - their sixth during the pandemic - to quell an outbreak fuelled by the highly infectious Delta strain.
Officials had promised to lift lockdowns once double-dose vaccinations for people aged above 16 exceeded 70% in Victoria state, of which Melbourne is the capital.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Thursday confirmed the state had reached that target, with more restrictions set to ease as inoculations hit 80% and 90%.
"The longest road has been journeyed in Victoria and that long road really starts to open up tonight," Morrison told Seven News on Thursday.
From 11:59 p.m. (1359 GMT) Thursday, pubs and cafes can have 20 fully vaccinated patrons indoors and 50 outdoors, while hairdressers can allow entry for five customers. Masks will still be mandatory both indoors and outdoors.
By then, the city of five million would have spent a cumulative 262 days, or nearly nine months, under stay-home orders since March 2020 - the world's longest, exceeding a 234-day lockdown in Buenos Aires, according to Australian media.
Pubs have begun to take more beer ahead of the reopening with Carlton & United Breweries, owned by Japan's Asahi Group Holdings, saying it had moved an extra 50,000 kegs to venues across the city on Thursday.
As businesses prepare to welcome customers, daily infections rose to 2,232 in Victoria on Thursday, the second highest daily count in any Australian jurisdiction during the pandemic.
VACCINATION SURGE
After largely stamping out infections in 2020, Australia has ditched its COVID-zero approach and is aiming to live with virus amid higher vaccinations after being rocked by a third wave of infections in the country's southeast since mid-June.
Despite the Delta wave, Australia has recorded only about 152,000 cases and 1,590 deaths, far lower than many comparable countries.
Cases in New South Wales, home to Sydney, rose for the third straight day on Thursday to 372 from 283 a day earlier.
Virus-free Queensland state is on alert after reporting its first new local case in two weeks - an unvaccinated rideshare driver who spent 10 days in the community while potentially infectious. Authorities said they would check with Uber if the driver had worked while he was infectious.
A spokesperson for Uber said "the driver-partner has not driven with the Uber platform since Sept. 19."
Sydney and Canberra, the national capital, exited lockdowns last week after speeding through their vaccination targets. Other states are COVID-free or have very few cases.
With restrictions beginning to ease, Qantas Airways said it would ramp up daily flights between Sydney and Melbourne, one of the world's busiest domestic routes before the pandemic, to about 15 from the first week of November from just one now.
Reuters
Thu Oct 21 2021
![Melbourne readies to exit world's longest COVID-19 lockdown Melbourne readies to exit world's longest COVID-19 lockdown](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2021-10/41634796599_Melbourne.jpg)
Officials had promised to lift lockdowns once double-dose vaccinations for people aged above 16 exceeded 70 pct in Victoria state, of which Melbourne is the capital. - REUTERS
![Ekonomi China teruskan momentum pemulihan Ekonomi China teruskan momentum pemulihan](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2023-01/71674060668_ChinaPopulation.jpg)
Ekonomi China teruskan momentum pemulihan
Ekonomi China meneruskan momentum pemulihan dan trend perkembangan ke arah baik dengan operasinya kekal stabil secara keseluruhannya pada separuh pertama tahun ini.
![PPZ-MAIWP catat RM511 juta kutipan zakat tahun ini, naik 10 peratus PPZ-MAIWP catat RM511 juta kutipan zakat tahun ini, naik 10 peratus](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-04/61714481430_TBNAIM.jpg)
PPZ-MAIWP catat RM511 juta kutipan zakat tahun ini, naik 10 peratus
PPZ-MAIWP mencatat kutipan zakat sebanyak RM511 juta dari Januari hingga Jun tahun ini dengan peningkatan sebanyak 10 peratus berbanding tempoh sama pada 2023.
![Empat terbunuh, puluhan cedera dalam protes antikuota di Bangladesh Empat terbunuh, puluhan cedera dalam protes antikuota di Bangladesh](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/71721144143_TBBANGLADESHCAMPUS.jpg)
Empat terbunuh, puluhan cedera dalam protes antikuota di Bangladesh
Abu Sayeed, seorang daripada penyelaras dan pelajar di Universiti Begum Rokeya di Rangpur utara, terbunuh semasa pertempuran dengan polis.
![28 orang termasuk 5 orang awam, 10 askar, terbunuh dalam tempoh 24 jam di Pakistan 28 orang termasuk 5 orang awam, 10 askar, terbunuh dalam tempoh 24 jam di Pakistan](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/51721144906_TBMAPBANNU.jpg)
28 orang termasuk 5 orang awam, 10 askar, terbunuh dalam tempoh 24 jam di Pakistan
Tentera menuding jari kepada kumpulan Hafiz Gul Bahadur dari Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) yang diharamkan.
![Misi ekonomi produk agrikomoditi ke India perkukuh hubungan dua hala Misi ekonomi produk agrikomoditi ke India perkukuh hubungan dua hala](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/61721130378_JohariAbdulGhani.jpg)
Misi ekonomi produk agrikomoditi ke India perkukuh hubungan dua hala
KPK akan mengadakan Misi Ekonomi Produk Agrikomoditi Malaysia ke India pada 17-18 Julai ini.
![Golongan belia pemacu penting bentuk masa depan industri pembuatan Malaysia - FMM Golongan belia pemacu penting bentuk masa depan industri pembuatan Malaysia - FMM](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-05/41715247870_SohThianLaijpg.jpg)
Golongan belia pemacu penting bentuk masa depan industri pembuatan Malaysia - FMM
Pemimpin perniagaan dan usahawan daripada golongan belia merupakan pemacu penting yang akan membentuk masa depan industri pembuatan Malaysia, kata Presiden Persekutuan Pekilang-Pekilang Malaysia.
AWANI Tonight: 16 July 2024
#AWANITonight with @Hafiz_Marzukhi
1. Govt mulls amending Penal Code to deal with cyberbullying
2. England's Southgate resigns after Euro 2024 Final defeat
#AWANIEnglish #AWANINews
1. Govt mulls amending Penal Code to deal with cyberbullying
2. England's Southgate resigns after Euro 2024 Final defeat
#AWANIEnglish #AWANINews
![9,241 pelajar Palestin terbunuh dalam serangan Israel sejak 7 Oktober 9,241 pelajar Palestin terbunuh dalam serangan Israel sejak 7 Oktober](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-06/81718630490_Smokerises.jpg)
9,241 pelajar Palestin terbunuh dalam serangan Israel sejak 7 Oktober
9,318 pelajar terbunuh dan 14,671 lagi cedera di Semenanjung Gaza manakala di Tebing Barat, 103 pelajar terbunuh dan 505 lagi cedera.
![Penumpang Singapore Airlines meningkat hampir 14 peratus pada Jun Penumpang Singapore Airlines meningkat hampir 14 peratus pada Jun](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/61721142800_AirbusA.jpg)
Penumpang Singapore Airlines meningkat hampir 14 peratus pada Jun
Rangkaian penumpang Kumpulan SIA meliputi 125 destinasi setakat Jun dan rangkaian kargo terdiri daripada 129 destinasi.
![Empat individu termasuk pasangan pempengaruh bebas tahanan reman Empat individu termasuk pasangan pempengaruh bebas tahanan reman](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-05/41716613114_TBsprm.jpg)
Empat individu termasuk pasangan pempengaruh bebas tahanan reman
Kesemua individu juga perlu hadir ke pejabat Suruhanjaya Pencegahan Rasuah Malaysia (SPRM) sebulan sekali untuk melaporkan diri.
![Letupan bahan kimia, penduduk diminta berlindung daripada asap toksik Letupan bahan kimia, penduduk diminta berlindung daripada asap toksik](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/61720594880_Smoke.jpg)
Letupan bahan kimia, penduduk diminta berlindung daripada asap toksik
Pihak berkuasa tempatan bergegas ke sebuah kilang di Derrimut, barat Melbourne selepas letupan yang berpunca daripada bahan kimia mencetuskan kebakaran pada Rabu, lapor Xinhua.
![Aaliyah raih gangsa di Moomba Masters 2024 Aaliyah raih gangsa di Moomba Masters 2024](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-03/71710192417_HanifahYoongYinFa.jpg)
Aaliyah raih gangsa di Moomba Masters 2024
Atlet berusia 20 tahun yang membuat penampilan ke-11 di kejohanan itu mengumpul keseluruhan 2215.25 mata dalam kejohanan di Sungai Yarra.
![MH370: Malaysia sedia buka semula kes sekiranya ada bukti baharu - PM MH370: Malaysia sedia buka semula kes sekiranya ada bukti baharu - PM](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-03/71709539407_AnwarIbrahim.jpg)
MH370: Malaysia sedia buka semula kes sekiranya ada bukti baharu - PM
Menurut Perdana Menteri, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim perkara itu akan dilaksanakan sekiranya ada bukti baharu dan kukuh.
![Sidang kemuncak khas ASEAN-Australia 2024 bermula hari ini, meraikan 50 tahun hubungan dialog Sidang kemuncak khas ASEAN-Australia 2024 bermula hari ini, meraikan 50 tahun hubungan dialog](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-03/81709508951_AustraliaASEANSumm.jpg)
Sidang kemuncak khas ASEAN-Australia 2024 bermula hari ini, meraikan 50 tahun hubungan dialog
Sidang Kemuncak Khas ASEAN-Australia 2024 bermula hari ini, menghimpunkan pemimpin Asia Tenggara dan Australia, pemimpin perniagaan dan komuniti.
![Kawalan keselamatan Sidang Kemuncak Khas ASEAN-Australia diperketat Kawalan keselamatan Sidang Kemuncak Khas ASEAN-Australia diperketat](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-03/81709508951_AustraliaASEANSumm.jpg)
Kawalan keselamatan Sidang Kemuncak Khas ASEAN-Australia diperketat
Sidang khas itu akan dihoskan PM Australia Anthony Albanese ketika negara itu meraikan ulang tahun ke-50 sebagai rakan luar pertama ASEAN.
![Skuasy: Peluang Malaysia tebus kekecewaan di pentas final Skuasy: Peluang Malaysia tebus kekecewaan di pentas final](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2023-07/61690580583_Mashup.jpg)
Skuasy: Peluang Malaysia tebus kekecewaan di pentas final
Malaysia layak ke final buat kali ketiga berturut-turut dengan menewaskan Amerika Syarikat 3-0 pada aksi separuh akhir pada Jumaat.
![Skuasy: Malaysia ke separuh akhir Berpasukan Remaja Wanita Dunia Skuasy: Malaysia ke separuh akhir Berpasukan Remaja Wanita Dunia](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2023-07/51690493416_AiraAzman.jpg)
Skuasy: Malaysia ke separuh akhir Berpasukan Remaja Wanita Dunia
Aira yang baru-baru ini dinobatkan naib juara perseorangan remaja dunia, tidak berdepan masalah untuk menyumbang mata pertama negara.
![Gusti profesional: Latihan singkat pada Ramadan tidak halang Emman cemerlang di NJPW Gusti profesional: Latihan singkat pada Ramadan tidak halang Emman cemerlang di NJPW](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2023-04/81681832306_EmmanNJPWgusti.jpg)
Gusti profesional: Latihan singkat pada Ramadan tidak halang Emman cemerlang di NJPW
Beliau menewaskan Jarvis dengan gerakan istimewanya, KL Gold Running Elbow dalam perlawanan yang mengambil masa hanya 11 minit.
![F1: Kontrak GP Australia di Melbourne dipanjangkan hingga 2035 F1: Kontrak GP Australia di Melbourne dipanjangkan hingga 2035](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2022-06/51655354167_AustralianGrandPri.jpg)
F1: Kontrak GP Australia di Melbourne dipanjangkan hingga 2035
Grand Prix Australia akan kekal di Merbourne sehingga 2035 selepas Formula 1 (F1) bersetuju untuk memanjangkan kontrak di litar berkenaan yang sepatutnya tamat pada 2025.
![Dr Cheema persoal mengapa Azizulhasni tidak dinasihatkan jalani MRI Dr Cheema persoal mengapa Azizulhasni tidak dinasihatkan jalani MRI](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2022-05/51651407023_DatukDrSSCheema.jpg)
Dr Cheema persoal mengapa Azizulhasni tidak dinasihatkan jalani MRI
Dr Cheema berkata tiada tindakan diambil meskipun terdapat aduan tentang beberapa simptom berkaitan jantung oleh atlet berbasikal itu.