There are now 22,889 active cases of Covid-19 in Victoria after 2232 new cases today and 187 people have died during the current Delta outbreak. The new cases come as Victoria hits its 70 percent full-vaccination target.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison revealed this morning that both Victoria and Tasmania now had 70 percent of their 16+ population fully vaccinated. Photo: AFP
The new cases were identified from 79,544 test results received yesterday.
There were 37,824 doses of vaccine administered at state-run sites, and more vaccinations at GP clinics and other venues.
Victoria has passed the 70 percent full-vaccination milestone that will officially trigger the end of the state's Covid-19 lockdown at 11:59pm tonight.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison revealed this morning that both Victoria and Tasmania now had 70 percent of their 16+ population fully vaccinated.
"I officially confirm, just got the figures, Victoria has reached 70.51 percent double-dose vaccination rate right across the state. And good on Tasmania as well, because they have hit 70.6 percent," he told Channel Seven.
Well done Vic and Tas - both states have today hit the 70% fully vaccinated target and the NT has just hit 60%.
— Scott Morrison (@ScottMorrisonMP) October 20, 2021
Across the country, we are at 70.83%. Thank you to every one of you who has rolled their sleeve up for their jab.
Let’s bring it home and hit 80% across the country.
On Twitter, Premier Daniel Andrews congratulated Victorians for their vaccination efforts, saying he was "so proud".
"Because of everything Victorians have done, tomorrow we can start getting back to the things we love," he said.
Under Victoria's new rules, fully vaccinated people will be allowed much greater freedoms. But people who are not double-dosed will be barred from most hospitality venues and events.
Covid-19 response commander Jeroen Weimar has confirmed the double-dose rule also applies to staff at those venues.
He said Melbourne's citywide curfew would be in place from 9pm on Thursday until restrictions lifted at 11:59pm, the "witching hour" when people would be able to enjoy their new freedoms.
Staff at hospitality venues will still be allowed to go into work after the curfew kicks in at 9pm to get their venues ready, but patrons will need to wait until 11:59pm to leave home to get into venues.
Federal Treasurer Josh Frydenberg said it was a day of celebration, but he again insisted that Victoria could re-open faster.
"There is a difference with restrictions having been eased in New South Wales and Victoria and my only point was a factual one which is I hope that Victorians can enjoy the same freedoms as those in New South Wales," he told ABC Radio National.
372 cases, one death in NSW
New South Wales Health has recorded 372 new cases of Covid-19 and one Covid-related death.
There are currently 523 Covid-19 patients in NSW hospitals, with 124 of those requiring intensive care.
In NSW, 92.5 percent of people aged 16 and over have had at least one dose of a Covid-19 vaccine and 82.3 percent have had two doses.
A total of 86,235 Covid-19 tests were carried out in the 24 hours to 8pm last night.
Dominic Perrottet Photo: 2021 Getty Images
Premier Dominic Perrottet was asked about reports that five NSW public schools were closed overnight due to Covid-19 cases.
"Schools from time to time will be closed, we have never shied away from that being a challenge," he said.
Perrottet said the NSW education department had done an "incredible" job preparing for the return to school.
"We want our kids back in the classrooms, it's incredibly important for them, it's important for parents across the state."
- ABC
