The Australian government has on Monday extended COVID-19 lockdown restrictions in Brisbane, while soldiers began guarding Sydney to enforce stay-at-home regulations as the country strives to stop the deadly Delta variant of the coronavirus growing.
Authorities have imposed a three-day lockdown in south-eastern parts of Queensland, including Australia’s third-biggest city Brisbane, which began on Saturday.
It is the latest part of the country to reimpose restrictions in a order to lessen Covid infections.
So far, fewer than 15% of Australians are fully vaccinated against the virus.
Although Australia’s vaccination drive has procrastinated many other developed economies, it has so far fared much better in keeping its coronavirus numbers relatively low, with just under 34,400 cases.
The death toll rose to 925 after a man in his 90s breathed his last in Sydney.
Australia is going through a cycle of stop-start lockdowns in several cities after the chaotic situation of the fast-moving Delta strain.
On the other hand, Prime Minister Morrison has promised lockdowns would be “less likely” once the country inoculates 70% of its population above 16 years of age – up from 19% now.
He expects to hit the 70% mark by the end of the year.