The PM told the Sunday Herald Sun the national plan to reopen states with 80 per cent vaccination will bring families back together.He said the plan, which will see restrictions eased when between 70 per cent and 80 per cent of people over the age of 16 are vaccinated, would give every Australian a safe pathway to be together again.“We don’t have to fear the virus, but we do have to live with it,” he said.“Holding onto Covid zero will only hold Australians back as the world moves forward.”Mr Morrison said the plan means Australians “can be together again, safely and soon”.“Grandparents in the east can hold their new grandchild in the west for the first time,” he said.“Kids in the south can be excited for holidays up north, long days on the beach and roller-coasters.“Friends can make plans for New Year’s Eve where they can hug and kiss at midnight.“And everyone can make plans for a family Christmas, with all our loved ones at the dinner table, cracking bonbons and bad jokes together.“Nobody wants Covid to be the virus that stole Christmas, and we have a plan and the vaccinations available to ensure that’s not the case.”Nationally more than 1.9 million people have been vaccinated in the past seven days meaning the country was “closing in on freedom,” the PM said.NED-4476-Covid-19-Vaccine-Rates-Melbourne“This means that in coming months, lockdown states can look forward to a return to backyard barbecues, kids’ birthday parties with all of their friends, gathering with the whole family for the important moments like christenings, weddings and funerals,” he said.His optimism has been echoed by Treasurer Josh Frydenberg who said Victoria’s economy has proved remarkably resilient in the face of lockdowns.The government estimates the current lockdown is costing the state’s economy at least $700 million a week.“Time and again, the Victorian economy has bounced back when restrictions have eased, with 5,500 workers everyday in Victoria, either finding a job or getting back to work in the month following the lifting of lockdowns,” he said.It comes as regional Victoria is on track to be released from lockdown this week, despite Victoria’s chief health officer warning the state’s case numbers could end up like Sydney’s.Authorities have flagged clamping down on supermarket visits as fears grow that “many thousands” of Victorians will be unknowingly shopping alongside people not yet diagnosed with Covid-19.Victoria recorded 190 new local cases on Saturday, including 87 with no known acquisition source.Chief health officer Professor Brett Sutton warned the slight drop in case numbers didn’t represent a downward trend, adding there was “every possibility” that Victoria would follow Sydney’s infection trajectory.“I think a lot of people are a bit concerned now that we’re on the same trajectory as Sydney and we’re maybe three or four weeks behind Sydney,” he said.There are 1301 active cases across the state, with 843 cases recorded in the past week.Authorities have been forced to admit it’s become increasingly difficult to provide a breakdown on the number of cases that had been in isolation for their full infectious period.Despite the soaring figures, Professor Sutton said he was confident the regions would be given a reprieve in coming days, but talks are still underway as to which restrictions would ease.“The regions are on track for some level of easing,” he said.Of Saturday’s cases, just four were detected in regional Victoria (in Shepparton).Ninety-six were linked to Melbourne’s northern suburbs, while 55 were found in the west, 14 in the southeast, 11 in the inner south, three in the east, six in the city and one on the Mornington Peninsula.A growing outbreak at a Box Hill housing construction site has reached 58 cases, but the index case remains a mystery.Meanwhile, around 175,000 Victorian businesses will become eligible for a new $2.34bn financial joint support package from the federal and state governments.Business Costs Assistance Program payments of 2800, $5600 and $8400 will be paid each week over September, depending on payroll size.Eligible cafes, restaurants and bars will continue to receive Licensed Hospitality Venue Fund payments of between $5000 and $20,000 per week.And the small business Covid Hardship Fund will also increase the grant amount to $20,000 for around 35,000 businesses.
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