Many states will be watching with interest to see how the rolling back of restrictions in NSW and Victoria goes, particularly COVID-free states such as Tasmania as they gear up to almost certainly welcome the virus in the coming months.
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Of course, "freedom day" is a misnomer because, unlike the United Kingdom, where, back in July, all COVID-related restrictions and measures, such as masks and social distancing, were lifted in one fell swoop, leaving the hospital system to accept its fate.
Such a move was and is not advisable, and Australia, having observed the progress of other countries, will be much more judicious across the board as it lifts different restrictions at different times and at different paces as we race towards the golden full vaccination milestone of 80 per cent.
Vaccination rates are on the rise, but the weeks ahead will be a nervous time for many. There are real fears of a spike in numbers, for one thing.
England may have joyously greeted Freedom Day in July, but its upcoming winter is looking grim, as case numbers spiral and hospitals struggle to cope. The same goes for France, Singapore and the United States.
Meanwhile, in states that remain mostly COVID-free, the possibility of opening up is a source of real concern and trepidation.
They will be watching with interest as NSW takes its bold steps into the future.
The experience of prolonged lockdown, mass infections and many deaths has been traumatic for many, and can't be easily cast off just because the pubs are reopening.
Leaders have a responsibility to continue to be cautious and not take unnecessary risks just because they can. Communities have the same responsibility to listen to health officials and follow advice.
There are now more than 30 million jabs in arms across the country, and Prime Minister Scott Morrison is quite right to describe the new freedoms in NSW as a sign of hope for the rest of the country. It's the first necessary step towards a sense of normality, and a feeling that there's finally light at the end of the tunnel. But for Tasmania, it will be an opportunity to watch and learn and, hopefully, take our time to do things right.