Coronavirus: Sydney set for reopening; anger in Vietnam over killing of 13 dogs as owners get Covid-19

Businesses gear up to welcome fully vaccinated residents from Monday as the Australian city emerges from a 100-day lockdown

Officials in Vietnam’s Ca Mau province killed the pets belonging to an infected couple, fearing the animals also had the virus

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Workers begin reopening preparation by setting up pool umbrellas at Crown Sydney on Sunday. Photo: AAP Image/dpa

Published: 6:13pm, 10 Oct 2021Updated: 11:32pm, 10 Oct 2021

Sydney was set to reopen after months in lockdown, officials said on Sunday, with businesses readying themselves to welcome fully vaccinated residents from Monday.

New South Wales, Australia’s most populous state, reported 477 new coronavirus cases and six deaths on Sunday, in an outbreak that has kept 5 million people in state capital Sydney in a lockdown for 100 days.

But as the state has met the threshold of 70 per cent of its people fully vaccinated, New South Wales was ready to ease some restrictions and reopen many businesses, said state Premier Dominic Perrottet.

“It’s a big day for our state, and to everyone across the New South Wales: you’ve earned it,” Perrottet said. “It’s been a hundred days of blood, sweat, no beers, but we’ve got it back in action tomorrow.”

When asked what would be the first thing he does on Monday, Perrottet said, “I am going to get a haircut.”

Local media reported that hair and beauty salons have been fully booked for weeks to come.