Australia interstate travel will return to normal by 2021-end, says Morrison

A Sikh man gets ready to receive his first dose of the Pfizer vaccine inside a temple in the suburb of Glenwood in Sydney. Pic/AFP

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Sunday declared that interstate travel will return to normal in the country by the end of 2021 despite the current COVID-19 outbreaks and lockdowns in major cities.

Morrison promised that domestic borders will be open and Australians will be allowed to gather in large numbers for Christmas on December 25, reports Xinhua news agency.

Australia has abandoned the COVID-zero approach to the pandemic amid outbreaks in Sydney, Melbourne and Canberra that have plunged about half of the population into strict lockdowns.

"Holding onto COVID zero will only hold Australians back as the world moves forward," Morrison told News Corp Australia.

Federal, state and territory governments have agreed to open borders and ease restrictions when 70-80 per cent of adults are fully vaccinated against the virus.

At the current rate of vaccination, Australia may hit those milestones within this year, according to local media. "Everyone can make plans for a family Christmas, with all our loved ones at the dinner table," Morrison said.

37,578 people in UK test positive

Another 37,578 people in Britain have tested positive for COVID-19, bringing the total number of cases in the country to 6,941,611, according to official figures. The country also reported another 120 COVID-related deaths, taking the national death toll to 133,161. These figures include the deaths of people who died within 28 days of their first positive test, Xinhua news agency reported.

Vietnam's 63 localities start new school year

Over two-thirds of Vietnam's 63 provincial-level localities started their new school year on Sunday amid the worst ever wave of COVID-19 in the country. The school opening ceremonies were simplified due to COVID-19 restrictions, as 20 localities had to gather students online for the ceremonies, Xinhua news agency.

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