Sydney (AFP)

The people of Sydney, confined for ten weeks, could taste again in October the pleasure of drinking a beer in a pub if the rate of people fully vaccinated against Covid-19 reaches 70%, authorities announced Thursday.

Containment measures will be lifted for people who have received two doses and if this first goal of vaccination of the adult population is reached in the state of New South Wales, which includes Sydney, according to a "roadmap to freedom "posted Thursday.

No precise date has been given but the figures suggest that this could take place in October, that is to say after about four months of confinement.

"A meal with relatives or a drink with friends is at hand," promised Deputy Prime Minister John Barilaro.

After ten weeks of confinement, the announcement offers a glimmer of hope to the more than five million inhabitants of Sydney and should encourage more people to be vaccinated.

Hair salons, gyms, restaurants and cinemas could also reopen, with students returning to school from October 25.

The announcement comes as New South Wales recorded 1,405 new cases on Thursday and doctors fear increasing pressure on hospitals.

"When you reopen, we can expect an increase in the number of cases. But if it concerns the vaccinated population, our health system will not be affected," said Gladys Berejiklian, Prime Minister of the State.

More than 39,000 cases have been recorded since the epidemic resurgence due to the Delta variant in mid-June in Sydney.

Further measures will be lifted once 80% of people are vaccinated, according to Ms Berejiklian who has hinted that overseas travel could resume for the first time since Australia's borders were closed in March 2020.

An almost deserted street in Sydney, during confinement, August 27, 2021 in Australia Saeed KHAN AFP

The announcement comes as Prime Minister Scott Morrison acknowledged the "sacrifice" made by tens of thousands of Australians living abroad who were unable to return home.

The Australian government has also discussed the creation of a vaccination passport, which should be in place before the cautious resumption of international travel scheduled for this year.

But travel within the immense island-continent could be authorized in the longer term, the States and Territories which continue to pursue a "zero Covid" objective not wishing to authorize free movement.

© 2021 AFP