Melbourne Sets Its Five Million Residents Free
The Straits Times|October 22, 2021
Melbourne • One of the world’s most locked-down cities has reopened, with Melbourne residents hoping their sixth bout of stay-at home restrictions will be their last.
Melbourne Sets Its Five Million Residents Free

Five million people in Australia’s second-biggest city have endured lockdowns totalling more than 260 days since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic.

But now that 70 per cent of eligible people in the capital Melbourne and surrounding Victoria state are fully vaccinated, restrictions that began on Aug 5 were lifted at 11.59pm yesterday.

State Deputy Premier James Merlino yesterday said: “I hope everyone enjoys those first reunions with their families, the first footy, netball, cricket training with the kids, the first pot and parma (beer and chicken parmesan) at the pub.”

Half a dozen lockdowns have taken their toll on the once buzzing city.

This story is from the October 22, 2021 edition of The Straits Times.

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This story is from the October 22, 2021 edition of The Straits Times.

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