Joyful Australians hit the bars to celebrate the end of lockdown in Sydney after 106 days of 'blood, sweat and no beers'.
Large queues were seen outside bars and slot machines venues - known is Australia as 'pokies' - ahead of the long-awaited 'Freedom Day', which began at midnight local time.
While much of Europe and the US has long since been reopened, Sydney - which is home to more than five million people - and the wider county of New South Wales have been in a strict lockdown since June.
The stay-at-home order was announced for non-essential workers after 80 cases of the Delta variant - which came to be known as 'the Bondi Cluster' - were discovered in the county.
By comparison the UK removed all Covid restrictions on July 19 - a day in which almost 40,000 new cases were recorded.
Australia had planned for 'Zero Covid' - eliminating all cases from the country - through harsh lockdowns and strict immigration controls.
But the spread of the more infectious Delta variant - which saw case numbers rise to 1,600-a-day in Sydney at its peak - convinced local government officials to impose a fresh lockdown in June.
But realising Zero Covid was no longer achievable due to the highly-transmissible Delta variant, the policy has since been shifted to a 'living with Covid' strategy.
With cases now falling - 477 Covid infections were recorded in Sydney on Sunday - and as much as 70 per cent of the now vaccinated, the local state government has now decided to lift restrictions in New South Wales.
'It's a big day for our state,' said New South Wales' recently appointed premier Dominic Perrottet. After '100 days of blood, sweat and no beers,' he said, 'you've earned it.'
Sydney hairdresser, Alan Buki, is busy with several clients in his Paddington salon, well after midnight on 'Freedom Day' with bookings all throughout the next weeks as demand has soared from his clientele.
One eager client even enjoyed a glass of fizz while getting her hair done
Joyous Australians have hit the bars to celebrate the end of lockdown in Sydney after 106 days of 'blood, sweat and no beers'.
Large queues were seen outside bars and slot machines venues - known is Australia as 'pokies' - ahead of the long-awaited 'Freedom Day', which began at midnight local time.
With cases now falling - 477 Covid infections were recorded on Sunday - and as much as 70 per cent of the now vaccinated, the Australian Government has now decided to lift restrictions in New South Wales
Pictures show Sydneysiders already streaming into bars to enjoy a first night on the town since June.
Here a group celebrate with food and drink
Sydney City Tattersalls (pictured left) club opened at midnight tonight, as bars Scruffy Murphy's, Cheers and the Argyle all remained shut.
Meanwhile hair dressers are back open - and one client enjoyed a sip of fizz while having their hair cut (pictured right)
Stephanie and Audi, both 26, enjoying their first drinks today after 106 days of lockdown in New South Wales in Australia
Large queues were seen outside one bar in Sydney as people prepared to celebrate 'Freedom Day' in style at the Canterbury League Club.
Signs showing the entrance and exit were put outside, while QR code systems and facemask rules are still in place
Pictures show Sydneysiders already streaming into bars to enjoy a first night on the town since June. If you adored this write-up and you would certainly like to obtain more details regarding agen judi Slot terpercaya kindly visit our own web page. Many were seen wearing masks and preparing their QR codes to be scanned as they awaited entry.
One photograph showed Australians queuing around the side of a shop ahead of midnight.
Non-essential retail shops have been closed in Sydney, but are now allowed to reopen under a 'one person per square-metre rule.
Under the eased restrictions 10 double-dosed visitors are now allowed to visit homes with 30 permitted to gather outdoors.
Weddings and large funerals are back on, with up to 100 people able to take part in a ceremony - but they must remain seated when eating and drinking.
Easts club in Sydney has bolstered its marketing campaigns ahead of the grand reopening which took place at 12:01am this morning, encouraging Sydneysiders to make their way to the club to celebrate their long-awaited freedom
Easts club in Sydney is pictured just minutes ahead of its grand reopening set for 12:01am.
Bars, restaurants, clubs and even venues such as hairdressers are dealing with huge crowds and queues
One photograph showed Australians queuing around the side of a shop ahead of midnight.
Non-essential retail shops have been closed in Sydney, but are now allowed to reopen under a 'one person per square-metre rule
Gyms, cafes, restaurants, pubs, bars, non-essential retail, libraries and churches can operate under the one person per four square metre rule.
However nightclubs will remain closed
Gyms, cafes, restaurants, pubs, bars, non-essential retail, libraries and churches can operate under the one person per four square metre rule.
However nightclubs will remain closed. Hairdressers and beauticians meanwhile will welcome back vaccinated clients but are restricted to a maximum of five in the premises at one time.
Customers must prove their vaccination status when they enter any venue in NSW or they will be refused (pictured left).
Pictured right: A barbers in the city prepares to open after lockdown