Melbourne reopens as world's most locked-down city eases pandemic restrictions

People were seen cheering and clapping from their balconies, while cars honked horns continuously  when lockdown restrictions in place since early August ended.

People cross Bourke Street in Melbourne last month. Australia's second-largest city had endured 262 days of restrictions during six separate lockdowns since March 2020. (Daniel Pockett/AAP Image via AP)

Melbourne residents flocked to the city's pubs, restaurants and hair salons in the early hours of Friday after the world's most locked-down city emerged from its latest spate of restrictions designed to combat the spread of Covid-19.

Australia's second-largest city has so far endured 262 days, or nearly nine months, of restrictions during six separate lockdowns since March 2020.