Victoria will end its sixth long-running lockdown five days earlier than planned, as the state races to its 70 percent fully vaccinated target. Premier Daniel Andrews made the announcement on Sunday, saying now was the time for Victorians to celebrate. “As of 11:59 p.m. Thursday there will be no lockdown, no restrictions on leaving home and no curfew,” Andrews told reporters. Victoria announced 1,838 new local COVID-19 cases and seven deaths on Sunday. Under the state’s roadmap, the city’s current lockdown—which has run for 73 days—was due to end on Oct. 26, the predicted date when 70 percent of those aged over 16 are doubled-dosed. However, Victoria is now forecast to reach that milestone as early as Thursday because of soaring second-dose rates. Both Andrews and Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton last week said they were open to taking the first step out of lockdown early, in line with reaching …