The end of Australia's lockdown era is approaching fast.

In Sydney, pubs are open, schools are going back, and lines for haircuts trail around street corners.

In Canberra too, a lockdown is ending on Friday, while in Melbourne 10,000 double-vaccinated spectators will be allowed to watch horse racing at Flemington in November, with more easing to follow.

But is Australia reopening too fast?

Today on The Signal, what the new era means for COVID case numbers, and how much to worry about the risk it could all end in misery.

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Professor Nancy Baxter, Head of School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne