As a number of states in Fortress Australia amp up Covid-19 restrictions, authorities remain concerned over rising cases and protests
Covid-19 restrictions are continuing in the Australian cities of Melbourne, Sydney and Adelaide today. This comes as so called ‘Fortress Australia’ faces a growing number of cases in New South Wales.
Meanwhile, Victoria’s premier, Daniel Andrews says he is “optimistic.” Victoria plans to lift certain restrictions on Tuesday at midnight.
Sydney, Australia is in lockdown again. There’s been…..1 new death from COVID.
— Jesse Kelly (@JesseKellyDC) July 19, 2021
The idea that you should lockdown in response to a virus is the most financially destructive idea in the history of the world. It is remaking the world before our eyes. I’m just stunned watching it.
Anti-lockdown protests across the country
Over the weekend, thousands of protesters gathered in various cities around the nation to protest Covid-19 stay at home orders.
It comes as some residents dub the nation “fortress Australia” over harsh border policies. These have seen the country largely cut off from most parts of the world for months.
Marc Stears from Sydney Uni’s policy labs believes “Australians have been willing to put up with restrictions which elsewhere in the democratic world would have been entirely politically impossible”.
More people have died in Australia from lockdown-related suicide than covid.
— Sydney Watson (@SydneyLWatson) July 21, 2021
And yet, the country is still in and out of lockdown, with so many thanking the government for every second of it. Objectively gross to watch.
Australia’s vaccine rollout
A recent ABC survey found that around 80 percent of residents are comfortable with strong border policies until authorities bring the pandemic under control.
It comes as the country’s total vaccination rate stands at 11 percent – making it the lowest ranking OECD nation for vaccination rollout.
