Victoria state in Australia reported a decline in daily fresh COVID-19 cases on Wednesday, for the second consecutive day, as first-dose vaccination rate in the state moved close to the 70% level.

Some restrictions that were imposed to check the spread of the Delta variant are expected to be eased in the state. Authorities have indicated that the travel limit for residents of Melbourne, the state capital, will be doubled to 10 km (6 miles), and people will be allowed an extra hour of outdoor exercise when the state reaches the vaccination target. Nearly 68% of the adults in the state have been administered their first vaccine dose, and the figure is expected to reach 70% this week. The state registered 423 new locally acquired infections, compared to 445 on Tuesday, and also reported two new fatalities… (Reuters, September 15, 2021)