9 Jul 2021

Australia's Covid transition plan - what is it and can it work?

From Nine To Noon, 9:08 am on 9 July 2021
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 26: Police officers walk past The Sydney Opera House during the first day of lockdown in Sydney, Australia, Saturday, June 26, 2021.

Photo: AFP

Australia's four phase pathway to transition from suppressing Covid 19 to living with it - once enough of the population is vaccinated.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison outlined the general plan earlier this week, capping incoming passenger numbers in the short term, to relieve pressure on hotel quarantine,  and announcing a trial of home quarantine for vaccinated travellers.

Ultimately he says once vaccination rates reach the optimum threshold , Australia will open its doors and live with the virus and reduce serious illness.

Meanwhile New South Wales has recorded its highest number of infections in more than a year - and health authorities are looking at recasting the definition of family to prevent the outbreak from exploding.

WHO advisor and Professor of Epidemiology at the University of New South Wales, Mary-Louise McLaws.