Australian state introduces Covid lockdown for the unvaccinated

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Anti-vaxxers living in one Australian state will face a four-day lockdown from today after a surge in Covid infections.

These include for essential shopping, for medical treatment, including vaccination, or to provide care.

Chief Minister Michael Gunner said those who have not been vaccinated are also banned from going outside to work or exercise.

The ‘lockout’ will last until 12pm on Monday, when a vaccination passport system is set to be introduced.

The state has also restricted access to communities with low vaccination rates to residents and essential workers, who require a negative rapid antigen test result before travelling.

It comes after the state recorded 256 new infections overnight.

Of the new cases recorded, 27 are a result of community transmission and 10 infections are known close contacts.

Another 112 remain under investigation and 107 cases are interstate and international arrivals.

Mr Gunner said the “escalation in case numbers in concerning”.

“Our community transmission rate has grown in recent days,” he said.

It comes just days after the Northern Territory announced arrivals who are fully-vaccinated no longer have to show evidence of a negative PCR test taken 72 hours before entering the state.

Instead, they can do a rapid antigen test upon arrival, self-test and report their result within two hours.

“If you are in a queue down south trying to get a PCR test, leave and we will sort it out when you get here,” Chief Minister Michael Gunner said on Tuesday.

Children under two years are not required to be tested.

The change is in response to testing issues in other Australian states that resulted in long queues, delayed result delivery and clinics closures, Mr Gunner explained.

“PCR supply and testing down south are getting thinner and thinner. They are buckling in some places. The shelves are empty of RAT kits.”

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Australian state introduces Covid lockdown for the unvaccinated (msn.com)