New South Wales government has said it can ease more restrictions in Sydney a week earlier than planned on October 18 as Australia's most populous state races towards its 80 per cent double-dose vaccination target, Reuters reports.

The southeastern state is expected to hit the mark over the weekend, beating forecasts, and officials previously promised to relax further restrictions on vaccinated residents on the first Monday after reaching that milestone.

"If we hit 80pc, we've always said it will be the Monday following," state Premier Dominic Perrottet told ABC Radio. "We will have this discussion with our team on Thursday and we will make a decision to be announced on Friday."

Read more here.

Shoppers wear protective face masks inside a store as businesses re-open to vaccinated patrons in the wake of coronavirus regulations easing, following months of lockdown orders to curb the rise in the number of cases, in Sydney, Australia, October 12. — Reuters
Shoppers wear protective face masks inside a store as businesses re-open to vaccinated patrons in the wake of coronavirus regulations easing, following months of lockdown orders to curb the rise in the number of cases, in Sydney, Australia, October 12. — Reuters

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