Sydney authorities moved to lift curfews for coronavirus hotpots Wednesday, as infection numbers stabilised and vaccination rates surged.
Almost three months after activity in Australia’s largest city was frozen by lockdown orders, state authorities announced easing restrictions for the worst-hit areas.
New South Wales Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the 9 pm to 5 am curfew for virus hotspots would be lifted from Wednesday, in what Sydneysiders hope signals the beginning of the end of a long lockdown.
Infection rates appear to have plateaued at around 1,300 a day and 80 percent of people in Australia’s most populous state have received at least one vaccine dose.
“We’ve seen a stabilisation in the last few days,” said state premier Berejiklian, while urging residents to continue to be vigilant and respect stay-at-home orders. “We don’t want to see that trend go the wrong way.”
Most Sydney residents can only leave home to buy food, exercise outdoors or seek medical…