On Saturday, people in Melbourne gathered at shops and gigs for the first time in months as COVID-related restrictions were eased.

The city came out of its sixth lockdown last week, and is reopening further as full vaccination rates in Victoria state were nearing 80% for those aged 16 years and older. People were seen queuing up at malls and boutiques for their first in-person shopping experience since early August. However, capacity limits were followed.

Victoria registered 1,355 fresh daily COVID-19 cases, the lowest figure in nearly one month. A total of 11 deaths were reported and the health authorities said that serious infections mainly affected unvaccinated people. New South Wales recorded 236 fresh infections and three deaths… (Reuters, October 30, 2021)