Melbourne back into coronavirus lockdown for Six Weeks

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews this afternoon announced Victoria would reimpose stage three restrictions on greater Melbourne and the Mitchell Shire from midnight tomorrow  as  Victoria has recorded 191 new cases of coronavirus since yesterday, the largest single-day increase so far in the state.

Victoria’s total number of cases now at 2,824 and the record number of new infections brings the number of active cases of COVID-19 to 772.

Victoria will reimpose stage three restrictions for six weeks in metropolitan Melbourne and the Mitchell Shire in a bid to slow a rapid spread of coronavirus.

Mr Andrews said the new restrictions were the result of the "unacceptably" high number of new cases.

"It is simply impossible, with case rates at these levels, to have enough contract tracing staff to have enough physical resources … in order to suppress and contain this virus without taking significant steps," he said.

Under the stage three restrictions, people are only allowed to leave their homes for four main reasons: work or study, exercise, shopping for supplies and medical care and caregiving.

Mr Andrews said the restrictions would be slightly different to those imposed across the state in May.

People will not be allowed to leave the locked-down areas for exercise and no-one will be able to go into a second home outside of metropolitan Melbourne.

Retail and hairdressers will remain open, but cafes, restaurants and pubs within the restricted zones will return to takeaway only.

Folowing is the full list of suburbs effected by lockdown

1.Banyule 

2.Hume  

3.Moreland  

4.Bayside  

5.Kingston  

6.Mornington Peninsula 

7.Boroondara

8.Knox 

9.Nillumbik  

10.Brimbank 

11.Manningham  

12.Port Phillip  

13.Cardinia

14.Maribyrnong  

15.Stonnington  

16.Casey

17.Maroondah 

18.Whitehorse  

19.Darebin

20.Melbourne  

21.Whittlesea 

22.Frankston 

23.Melton  

24.Wyndham  

25.Glen Eira  

26.Monash 

27.Yarra  

28.Greater Dandenong 

29.Moonee Valley  

30.Yarra Ranges 

31.Hobsons Bay 

32.Mitchell Shire

Mr Andrews said the government was left with no choice but to reimpose the tough rules.

 “We can’t just go back to normal, despite the fact we all want to. We have got to find a COVID-19 normal.

The only reason people in the locked down areas will be allowed to leave their homes will be for shopping for essential items and food, medical reasons and caregiving, work and study, and exercise.

Victoria Police will be responsible for manning roadblocks between metropolitan Melbourne and regional Victoria. Mr Andrews has also requested an additional 260 Australian Defence Force personnel to assist with ground support, including staging areas, transport, roadblocks and command centre support.

NSW will temporarily shut its border with Victoria to contain the spread of COVID-19 and to protect the health and jobs of NSW citizens.

The closure will be effective from 12.01am Wednesday, 8 July and follows the concerning spread of COVID-19 in Melbourne.

Premier Gladys Berejiklian announced the border closure yesterday after consulting with the NSW Chief Health Officer and discussions with the Prime Minister and Victorian Premier Dan Andrews.