Covid-19 Australia: Treasurer Josh Frydenberg says lockdowns a thing of the past

Five million Australians have woken to their first day of freedom in 106 days, and one politician says there can be no return to lockdown.

There should be no return to life in lockdown once stay-at-home orders are lifted, Josh Frydenberg says.

After 106 days, stay-at-home orders were lifted across NSW on Monday after the state reached the 70 per cent fully vaccinated milestone.

Gyms, cafes, restaurants, shops, pools and hairdressers can now reopen and residents can have 10 people to their home and gather in groups of 30 outdoors.

Treasurer Josh Frydenberg has indicated he does not want to see the state slide backwards into lockdown.

“Well, let's open up safely and let’s not turn back because the rest of the world is not turning back and neither should we,” he told Nine’s Today show.

“A record number of Australians are getting a jab and that is our pathway and our ticket out of this crisis.”

Shops in NSW preparing to reopen ahead of Freedom Day on Monday: NCA NewsWire / Flavio Brancaleone

Mr Frydenberg estimates the fallout from the Delta variant has cost the Australian economy $20bn.

He told Sky News that the NSW lockdown alone cost the government $7bn in terms of Covid disaster payments.

The release of five million people is hoped to help kickstart Australia’s economy after successive lockdowns in NSW, Victoria and the ACT slowed growth.

“We know the economy has been hit hard by the Delta variant, but we also know from other experiences through this pandemic that the economy does bounce back,” Mr Frydenberg told Sunrise on Monday.

“Once obstructions are raised, businesses reopen and the kids get back to school and people get back to work, that's what we are hoping for, that’s what we expect.”

But Deloitte Access Economics said Australia’s economic recovery would depend on vaccination rates.

NSW is the first locked-down state to ease restrictions after it hit the 70 per cent fully vaccinated target. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Flavio Brancaleone

“Vaccinations are the best possible stimulus for our ailing economy – with daylight second,” a report into Australia’s economy said.

“Forecasts for everything from wages to unemployment to hospitalisation and haircuts depend on vaccinations.”

The Treasurer stressed there would be further economic recovery once international border restrictions and state lockdown restrictions were eased.

“We will have continued strength in our labour market and those jobs come back as the restrictions are raised,” he said.

“The workforce shortages have been hit during various stages of this pandemic and of course having closed international borders has been one of the reasons for that.

“If we can fast-track and ensure home quarantine is effective and successful, then the international borders can reopen. I know Prime Minister Morrison is very keen to see that happen and we need to re-engage with the world.”

Originally published as Covid-19 Australia: Treasurer Josh Frydenberg says lockdowns a thing of the past