Thousands of children returned to school in Australia’s Sydney on Monday, as increasing vaccination rates bolstered the easing of more COVID-19 restrictions.

Masks will not be mandatory in offices and more people will be allowed to gather in homes and outdoors after New South Wales attained a double-dose vaccination rate of 80% for people aged above 16 years. New South Wales Premier, Dominic Perrottet, said that there is a long journey ahead and urged people to strictly follow the health rules.

Classrooms have been opened in a staggered manner, with students in kindergarten, year 1 and year 12 returning on Monday, while all others will return next week. Retail stores, pubs and gyms can now allow more vaccinated individuals and nightclubs will be allowed to reopen for seated drinking. Weddings can now have unlimited guests. Everyone is required to follow social distancing measures… (Reuters, October 18, 2021)