Millions in Melbourne are readying to come out of the world's longest Covid-19 lockdown. It comes even as cases hover near record levels, with pubs, restaurants and cafes rushing to restock supplies before opening their doors.
Since early August, residents in Australia's second-largest city have been in lockdown - their sixth during the pandemic - to quell an outbreak fuelled by the highly infectious Delta strain.
Officials had promised to lift lockdowns once double-dose vaccinations for people aged above 16 exceeded 70% in Victoria state, of which Melbourne is the capital.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison has confirmed the state had reached that target, with more restrictions set to ease as inoculations hit 80% and 90%. "The longest road has