NSW's early freedoms just over the border will be a good opportunity for us to watch and learn

Our nearest neighbours across the way are shortly to celebrate what's being dubbed "freedom day", and many of us in Canberra are, or should be, ambivalent about what it might mean for us here in the capital.

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.

But on a more micro level, NSW looks set to lift its restriction far more hastily than the ACT, and it will be interesting, at the very least, to see how things play out in nearby Queanbeyan, Goulburn and Sydney.

While it's tempting to get jealous as we wait impatiently for our own proverbial freedom day (from Friday, we'll be able to have five people in our homes), the truth remains we are and will be in a far better position to open up by taking our time and doing things in stages.

Our vaccination rates may be through the roof, 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.

Canberra's numbers may look low in comparison to NSW and Victoria, but there are real fears of some serious spikes.

There are also babies in the ICU fighting COVID, and it would take very little for the situation to become more serious.

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Meanwhile, in states that remain mostly COVID-free, like Queensland and Western Australia, the possibility of opening up is a source of real concern and trepidation, as vaccination rates are relatively low in those states.

They, too, will be watching with interest as NSW takes its bold steps into the future.

As our own restrictions begin to lift as we head towards summer, we would do well not to get too carried away.

Not everyone in NSW will be letting their hair down immediately come "freedom day". Not everyone will be cheering at the sight of crowds.

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.

The last 18 months have been dreary, difficult, exhausting and disorienting, and there is no reason to rush headlong into a future still rife with uncertainty.

We have a responsibility, as a city and as a community, to continue to be cautious and not take unnecessary risks just because we can.

There are now more than 30 million jabs in arms across the country, and Prime Minister Scott Morrison is quite right to describe the impending 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 us, just over the border, it will be an opportunity to watch and learn and, hopefully, take our time to do things right.

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