Left image via Reuters //
Gonna be another weird year…
In some slightly good news to start your week, Health Minister Greg Hunt has given an update on Australia’s vaccine rollout, and it seems to be rather optimistic. As of Sunday, Australia’s contract with a vaccine provider has been finalised and now we’re officially “ahead of schedule”. Now, if the vaccine successfully passes all approval processes, Australia could have quick access to 51 million doses of the Novavax vaccine, with all Aussies being able to get vaccinated by October.
Speaking on the update, Hunt said “We remain not only on track but ahead of schedule for our vaccine rollout and, indeed, it’s in a very similar position to New Zealand. Our goal is very clear: to make sure that every Australian who seeks to be vaccinated is given free, voluntary and universal access to vaccination, with that to be completed during 2021.”
The news comes as mandatory mask wearing comes into effect across Greater Sydney from today, with anyone not complying being subject to a hefty $200 fine. The masks must now be worn while in shopping centres, public or shared transportation, indoor entertainment venues, places of worship and hair & beauty premises. Masks are also mandatory for hospitality staff and casinos, as well as those use gaming facilities.
NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard also added a bunch of other venues where masks should be worn, saying “I want to emphasise that masks should also be worn in other areas that were not mentioned yesterday to include bank branches, post offices, hairdressing salons, beauty saloning, tanning salons, waxes saloning, spas, tattoo parlours, betting agencies and gaming lounges, make sure you wear a mask.
“Of course, we now very clear to everybody I think you need to wear it on public transport, but, please, don’t play games with yourself or the community, wear them when you get into the transport facility, if you’re out in a queue, put the mask on.”
Other restrictions include limiting gym classes to 30 people, places of worship being reduced to one person per 4 square metres, and weddings & funerals being limited to 100 people.
