Australia: Protesters take to streets in major cities over COVID vaccine mandate

Protesters in a huge number assembled in western Sydney as part of nationwide marches against mandated COVID-19 vaccines on Sunday. As per reports of 9News, y formed a long line along Parramatta river's banks, holding anti-vaccine placards that said, 'No mandatory vaccine'.

re have been no arrests, according to NSW Police. On Sunday, New South Wales registered 244 new cases of COVID-19 and one fatality linked to virus. In NSW, 93.9% of eligible residents have received one dose of COVID-19 vaccine, with state's entire vaccination rate presently at 89.7%. According to Sydney Morning Herald, NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet announced on Monday that a new vaccination clinic will open in Granville, Sydney's west, on Monday. clinic will also offer booster shots to anyone aged 18 and above.

NSW has one of highest vaccination rates in world

Perrottet stated that NSW has one of highest vaccination rates in world. According to him, COVID-19 vaccination clinics have been critical in accelerating vaccination rates, allowing m to return to normal in a safe and controlled manner. He also said that y are leing country out of pandemic, and this new centre will increase number of NSW Health vaccination sites around state as y roll out ir booster programme and make final push to reach 95% mark, if not higher, according to Sydney Morning Herald.

In hospitals, 269 people are being treated for COVID-19, 52 are in intensive care units, and 24 are on ventilators. Dr Jeremy McAnulty from NSW that out of 52 people who are in intensive care, 41 have not been vaccinated, three have only one dosage, and eight have received all of vaccines. According to Sydney Morning Herald, during most recent reporting period, a total of 70,276 tests were conducted.

Anti-vaccine protests in Melbourne and Darwin

According to 9News, anti-vaccine protests took place in Melbourne and Darwin as well. More than 1,000 people marched along Bourke Street to Parliament House in Melbourne, protesting Victorian government's vaccine mandates and proposed COVID-19 pandemic bill. y chanted "free Victoria," as y marched. Demonstrators also gared in Darwin, Australia to express ir displeasure with Norrn Territory's mandated COVID-19 vaccine.

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