Sydney Nov 8 (BUS) : Australia began administering boosters of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine on Monday as millions of people in Sydney, its largest city, woke up to more freedom amid an accelerating immunization drive.
The pace of vaccination in Australia has accelerated since July, after it widely missed its initial targets, when its southeast was hit by a third wave of infections from the highly contagious delta type that led to a months-long lockdown, Reuters reported.
Sydney and Melbourne, its largest cities and hardest hit by the Delta wave, were racing through vaccinations before restrictions were gradually eased. Life returned to normal Monday in New South Wales, home to Sydney, as the state approached 90 per cent of its double-dose vaccinations for people over the age of 16.
“There’s a sense of optimism and enthusiasm with customers. They show up in big numbers and aren’t afraid to spend,” said Rodney Sen, owner of Barzura restaurant in Sydney’s eastern suburbs.
There are now no restrictions on the number of fully vaccinated guests in homes, while restaurants and entertainment venues can allow for more patrons. The stadiums can operate at full capacity.
After more than 18 months of some of the world’s strictest containment policies, border restrictions are beginning to loosen, triggering a plan to reopen the country to travelers amid a huge market gap for temporary workers.
Sen told Reuters on Monday that the restaurant had raised its pay rates to retain and attract staff.
“The public has already got the money to spend, but we are struggling to find the staff to serve them. This is a very familiar story in the restaurant industry across Sydney,” he said.
With around 181,600 cases and 1,827 deaths, Australia’s coronavirus numbers are among the lowest in the developed world.
Most of the new cases are being detected in Victoria, which recorded 1,126 new cases on Monday. Neighboring New South Wales has reported 187 infections. Other states and territories are COVID-free or have very few cases.
The booster shots will be given to people 18 years of age or older who took the second shot more than six months ago.
MI