Thousands of children returned to school in Sydney today, putting an end to months of home learning as Australia's largest city eased more Covid-19 curbs, thanks to rising rates of vaccinations.
Masks are no longer mandatory in offices and larger groups are to be allowed in homes and outdoors after the state of New South Wales, home to Sydney, hit a double-dose inoculation rate of 80% at the weekend among those older than 16.
The latest in a series of planned relaxations is part of a shift in strategy by Australia's largest cities towards living with the virus, though officials have warned it will bring more Covid-19 cases. "This is not over," state premier Dominic Perrottet said today, urging people to stick to the remaining health rules.