Victoria’s lockdown could end almost a week ahead of schedule

Victoria’s lockdown could end about a week ahead of schedule.

It comes as vaccination rates surge.

The COVID Live website now projects the state will reach 70 per cent fully-vaccinated on October 23.

Data analyst, Anthony Macali, who runs the website, says that date could come forward further.

Dean of the School of Health Sciences at Swinburne University, Professor Bruce Thompson, says the state is “a little ahead of time”.

“Hopefully it actually could be quite a few days, dare I say a week, ahead.”

At 70 per cent double-dose vaccination, outdoor dining and drinks are expected to return with up to 50 fully-vaccinated people per venue, and hairdressing will also return for those who’ve been double jabbed.

But Professor Thompson says a more cautious reopening could be justified.

“In theory, you’re meant to wait for two weeks after your second vaccination until you’re fully immunised so you could make the suggestion we should wait. Now, I’m not making that suggestion,” he said.

“We’ve really just got to keep vaccinating as hard as we possibly can.”

Press PLAY below to hear Professor Thompson’s thoughts on Victoria’s reopening timeline

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