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Victoria, home to around a quarter of Australia’s 25 million people, has recorded 507 cases as its prime minister said a weeklong lockdown will end once 70% of those 16 and over are fully vaccinated, whether or not there are new cases.

Prime Minister Daniel Andrews has said the state could reach that vaccination threshold around October 26. About 43% of Victorians have been fully immunized and just over 46% of the country’s residents.

We will do this with caution, but make no mistake, we are opening this place. There is no alternative, Andrews said. We cannot permanently or permanently remove this virus. The blockages consisted of gaining time to reach 70% and 80% vaccination.

Many social distancing restrictions will remain and retail and hospitality locations will be limited, but people will be free to leave their homes for no reason.

Andrews said authorities aim to get 80% of the states eligible population vaccinated in time for the Melbourne Cup on November 2, leaving the door open to crowds on the track of Australia’s most famous horse race.

The Covid-19 plan follows a federal program that will end blockages at a 70% vaccination rate and gradually reopen international borders to 80%.

New South Wales has adopted a similar plan. Australia’s most populous state reported 1,083 cases on Sunday as it uses closures and vaccination campaigns to tackle an outbreak of the Delta variant that began in mid-June.

The state, home to Sydney, relaxed some restrictions on gatherings today. About 52% of people have been vaccinated in New South Wales. After eliminating the Covid-19 outbreaks last year through lockdowns, border closures and strict public health measures, Australia has acknowledged in recent months that it may not be able to eradicate the epidemics of the Delta.

The country has recorded just over 84,000 cases of the coronavirus, but two-thirds of infections have occurred this year, mostly since June. There were 1,162 deaths.