Australia's path out of COVID and 'back to normal' will take time. Here's how it might look The federal government's COVID exit plan will see Australia transform into a vaccinated nation that manages the virus with few restrictions. But how long will that take? 8 July 2021 The four-stage strategy will see the country transform its zero-risk approach into one that manages COVID-19 like "any other infectious disease". To get fewer restrictions and more freedoms, Australians will need to roll up their sleeves and get vaccinated. "Australia gets vaccinated, Australia is able to live differently," Prime Minister Scott Morrison said. But how many jabs will it take to open up? When will this happen? And will we ever return to a pre-COVID normal?