State of disaster and curfew declared in Australia’s coronavirus-hit Victoria
- Sweeping new restrictions begin on Sunday night across Melbourne and elsewhere
- India reported nearly 55,000 new cases as its Home Minister Amit Shah was hospitalised for Covid-19, and Japan recorded over 1,500 for a second day
Declaring a “state of disaster”, Victoria Premier Daniel Andrews said Melbourne would move to Stage 4 restrictions until September 13 given “unacceptably high” levels of community transmission.
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Melbourne enacts citywide curfew as Australia continues to battle spike in coronavirus cases
The harshest rules in Australia to date will see city residents face a curfew from 8pm to 5am for the next six weeks. Only those carrying out essential work, or seeking or providing care, will be allowed out.
“The time for leniency, the time for warnings and cautions is over,” Andrews said. “If you are not at home and you should be, if you have the virus and are just going about your business, you will be dealt with harshly. Lives are at stake.”
Melbourne residents will be limited to an hour of exercise a day, no further than 5km (3 miles) from home starting Sunday night.