Strict lockdown reimposed in Victoria, Melbourne to prevent the second wave of Coronavirus infection which is rapidly spreading across Australia. The lockdown will start on July 8 and residents will only be allowed to to leave their homes for grocery, work, care giving and exercise.
Victoria has seen a spike in positive cases with 191 new infection as recorded on Tuesday and crossed its previous record of 127 new cases on Monday. Authorities announced the lockdown in the two most populous States Victoria and New South Wales.
Border restrictions will also apply to metropolitan Melbourne and Mitchell Shire, a regional area of Victoria, on Wednesday night to limit the spread of the outbreak across the state.
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“We’ve talked about this virus being like a public health bushfire. By putting a ring around metropolitan Melbourne, we’re essentially putting in place a perimeter to protect regional Victorians,” said Andrews in a statement.
“I think a sense of complacency has crept into us as we let our frustrations get the better of us. I think that each one know someone who has not been following the rules as well as they should have. I think each of us know that we have got no choice but to take very very difficult steps,”
To cut down the pandemic, the government has imposed few restrictions on beauty services, personal services, cultural and entertainment venues will be closed, where as cafes and restaurants will be allowed to reopen for takeaways and delivery under the new lockdown measures.
“The strategy here is to complete the testing and then as soon as possible, once that testing is complete, to have those nine towers moved to the same footing that the rest of Melbourne will move to at 11.59pm tomorrow night. A stay-at-home with four reasons to leave,” Andrews summed it up.
