Australia is currently updating its Covid response from trying to contain the virus to considering it like a common flu.
The new Covid response suggests that the vaccination threshold would be 70% to lessen and localize lockdowns in the future and 80% for citizens to be allowed to go abroad.
This was revealed by Philippine ambassador to Australia Maria Hellen Barber de la Vega.
During the September 3 virtual briefing, de la Vega said Australia’s new plan aims to avoid acute sickness, hospitalization, and death from the virus.
“Ang malawakang vaccination program po na ito ay patuloy na tinatawag ho natin parang kaakibat na tinatawag nila na trace, test, isolate and quarantine system. So kasama rin po ang pagpapatatag ng public health system dito upang masiguro ang kakayahan nito sa pagbukas ng ekonomiya at pagbalik ng mga tao sa trabaho, negosyo at mga paaralan,” she said.
De la Vega also said that everyone currently staying in Australia could get vaccinated regardless of their visa status.
“Hindi po dito tinatanong kung Pilipino ka o anong nationality mo, ang mahalaga po ay iyong edad at iyong health advise kung anong bakuna ang nararapat sa iyo at kung available na po ito at kung saan ka, of course, nakatira, kung ikaw ba ay kasama sa tinatawag na hotspot area,” she said.
Canberra, Sydney, and Melbourne are still under lockdown protocols until September 17. – Lance Ezekiel Pastores