Australia’s Four-Phase Plan To End Lockdowns (July 02, 2021)

“The good news I have for Australians who are subject to restrictions today is we have agreed on a new deal for Australians on the pathway out of Covid-19,” Mr. Morrison said.

“A pathway from a pre-vaccination period which is focused on the suppression of the virus, on community transmission cases, to one that sees us manage Covid-19 as an infectious disease like any other in our community.”

Mr. Morrison said state and territory leaders had agreed to a four-phase plan tied to vaccination thresholds for over-16s:

• Reaching a certain vaccination threshold after offering all Australians the chance to get the vaccine
• The post-vaccination phase where focus shifts from suppressing the virus to minimizing serious illness and death
• Consolidation phase where health authorities manage Covid-19 similar to other infectious diseases like the flu
• Complete return to normal with no lockdowns or border closures, and quarantine only for unvaccinated travelers

“The first phase is the one we are in – vaccinate, prepare and pilot,” he said.

“We continue to suppress the virus. That involves the implementation of the national vaccination plan to offer every Australian an opportunity to be vaccinated with the necessary doses of the relevant vaccine as soon as possible.”