From midnight next Sunday, Andrews said, the curfew would start at 9pm instead of 8pm, and people who live on their own would be able to have one guest in their home, extending the rules for intimate partner visits to one friend or family member. “We need to find that sweet spot between the length of the current lockdown and the risk of a resurgence,” Cheng said. From 23 November, outdoor gatherings will increase to 50 people, Melbourne residents will be allowed to have up to 20 visitors in their home, all retail and hospitality will be open with 20-person limits in restaurants, real estate will open, and wedding and funerals will return to normal. AEST = Australian Eastern Standard Time which is 10 hours ahead of GMT (Greenwich Mean Time). Childcare would reopen, as would a number of industries. Australia starts lockdown measures as coronavirus cases jump Beachgoers are seen at sunrise at Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia, on March 22, 2020. All of these steps would be subject to health advice, Andrews said. There is no doubt Melbourne’s lockdown was and is particularly extreme for its circumstances. “Until we put this out, until we contain this properly, we cannot open up,” Andrews said. Schools will return for students in years three to 10, retail businesses and hairdressers will reopen, and cafes and restaurants will be able to open for outdoor seated service. “We have to take steady and safe steps out of lockdown.”. Melbourne’s The Age newspaper and others reported a letter sent by Australian Open tournament director Craig Tiley to players which made reference to a Feb. 8 start date. Stage four includes curfew from … "We're on the cusp of something very, very bad if we don't take these steps today," he said. "I hope very soon to be able to be before you again talking about further easing of restrictions in regional Victoria. "These are unsustainably high numbers of new cases," the Premier said. Masks are compulsory across Victoria. "Let's not see it as simply an inconvenience. It's much more than that. "If you are starting to see stability in low numbers, we'd have much greater confidence those are real numbers, rather than a false sense that the virus was not there anymore or at such low levels that a suppression strategy would be able to work.". Those numbers are far beyond those in any other Australian state or territory at the moment. From 26 October, if the daily average has fallen to fewer than five new cases a day, the curfew will lift and there will be no restrictions on the reasons people can leave home. “The worst outcome for everyone is the need to have repeated lockdowns with the uncertainty, never knowing from week to week what we’re doing. Schools would also return from grades prep to two and also years 10, 11 and 12 for VCE and Vcal studies. “I know there will be some industries … disappointed they are not on that list but whenever you draw a line, there will always be different groups on either side of it,” Andrews said. Non-contact adult sport will be allowed to resume. These stay-at-home orders will come into effect at 11:59pm on July 8 and are set to last for six weeks. Mr Andrews said the number of cases in Mitchell Shire was concerning, and it was crucial the virus did not spread further into regional areas. Australia's coronavirus lockdown – the first 50 days Fri 1 May 2020 16.00 EDT 12.33 EDT O n 12 March, two weeks after Australia declared the coronavirus would become a … Known COVID-19 cases are up 169, or 2.0 per cent, to 8566. State police charged a protester with assault after an officer suffered cuts to the head during an anti-lockdown rally in Melbourne on Saturday. On Tuesday Premier Daniel Andrews reinstated stay at home restrictions across metropolitan Melbourne and Mitchell Shire, to the north of the city, to take effect from 11.59pm on July 8… “This has got to be done in a safe and steady way.”. “The roadmap released today is a Victorian government plan.”. Mr Andrews was clear that he did not want to impose these lockdowns again, but the alternatives were just too dangerous. “I want a Christmas that is as close to normal as possible and this is the only way – these steps are the only way – that we will get to that point,” he said. Andrews said he “can’t change” those failures now. "This is challenging. "There's no change to the rules in regional Victoria but there are still rules and they need to be followed," the Premier said. But now to start all over again, with this hard lockdown in Melbourne, people are more aware of the economic impact and how other things will be disrupted." "It gives us the data that's so important to us, understanding where the virus is and what challenge we face.". “I want to get the place open and I want to keep it open. If we can just hold on a little longer we can get ourselves into a better place where we can open up more and still maintain control.”, Melbourne's stage-four restrictions could last until mid-October, modelling suggests, Melbourne anti-lockdown protests: at least 15 arrested in violent clashes with police. The state recorded 63 new cases on Sunday and five new deaths, all of which were linked to aged care. News Melbourne heads into 6-week lockdown as infections spike. The second wave of infections has been traced back to failures in the state-run hotel quarantine program, which is now subject to a public inquiry. Victoria has officially confirmed stage four restrictions will be introduced in Melbourne as coronavirus cases skyrocket. "I'll appeal to Victorians, don't for a moment think that you could flout these rules and travel into country Victoria," he said. Andrews said the decision to extend lockdown was “not a 50-50 choice”. Some of the measures include:. "There will be every chance you'll be stopped and asked. Melbourne has endured lockdown since July to combat its second wave. Earlier today, Premier Daniel Andrews announced that stage 4 lockdown will stay in place for another two weeks after the initial date of Sunday 13 September, until at least Monday 28 September. Metropolitan Melbourne and Mitchell Shire will re-enter lockdown from Wednesday. "Daily exercise will be treated differently. On 23 January, biosecurity officials began screening arrivals on flights from Wuhan to Sydney. He said not taking significant action now would mean thousands more cases, and most likely more deaths. If China stops taking Australia's coal, will other countries fill the gap? Metropolitan Melbourne and Mitchell Shire will re-enter lockdown from Wednesday. People in these areas can only leave their homes for the purposes of: There will only be three reasons to cross the border into these areas: Study and work if it cannot be done from home. This service may include material from Agence France-Presse (AFP), APTN, Reuters, AAP, CNN and the BBC World Service which is copyright and cannot be reproduced. Australia's prime minister cancelled plans to go to a rugby game on Saturday after a senior minister was diagnosed with COVID-19, while the nation's treasurer called a second crisis meeting over the rapidly growing economic threat from the coronavirus. A healthcare worker signals to her colleagues from a window of a public housing tower, locked down in response to an outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in Melbourne, Australia, July 8… Melbourne will finally exit lockdown this week after nearly four months as the Australian city records zero new infections or deaths. Some 283 people are in hospital, with 19 patients in intensive care, of which 16 are on ventilators. "Regional Victoria has very, very few cases and vast parts of regional Victoria have no cases. Regional Victoria, now under stage-three restrictions, would move “a step ahead of metropolitan Melbourne”, the premier said. ... even if cases got under control before the end date. Melbourne was placed under stage-four lockdown on 2 August while regional Victoria was put under stage three. Sunday’s announcement follows the release of modelling by the University of Melbourne and the University of New England, which said that if the stage-four restrictions were lifted before daily case numbers fell below 25 the figures could “rebound”, sending Victoria into a third wave and risking another lockdown by Christmas. Melbourne's coronavirus restrictions will start easing from 11:59pm Tuesday, Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews says. None of us would be able to plan anything. In a joint statement with the health minister, Greg Hunt, and treasurer, Josh Frydenberg, the prime minister said the federal government “would like to see restrictions in Victoria lifted as soon as it is safe to do so” but the decision was “solely for the Victorian government”. "And pretending that it is because we all want it to be over is not the answer. Before the pandemic, about 24,000 people visited Bourke Street — one of Melbourne's busiest streets — on an average day. Melbourne was placed under stage-four lockdown on 2 August while regional Victoria was put under stage three. , register or subscribe to save articles for later. Missed it? You can't leave metropolitan Melbourne to get your daily exercise. I understand it. There are 1,872 active cases in Victoria, of which just 98 are in regional areas. Mr Andrews said there would be some differences to this stay-at-home order compared to the one imposed on Victorians earlier this year. Nearly five million residents of greater Melbourne and the Mitchell Shire have entered a very different world, with a new six-week lockdown coming into effect. The tournament was scheduled for Jan. 18-31 at Melbourne Park, which is the tournament’s regular slot late in the southern summer holidays. Key Points. "That will be more than inconvenient. Victoria’s deputy chief health officer, Prof Allen Cheng, said the modelling suggested that “if we relax too early we risk a loss of control and … another lockdown”. Lockdown 2.0 in Melbourne, with a curfew and locals told to stay within five kilometres of their homes. Earth's 'air conditioner' is trapped in a polar heat spike — this is what it looks like, 'Please... get me out of here': Inside the bizarre rehab centre leaving some women feeling traumatised. One Australian state just began its toughest lockdown yet, with Stage 4 travel restrictions for the Greater Melbourne area and a Stage 3 Stay at Home lockdown for regional Victoria. "There's a number, on the advice of the chief health officer, of very low public health risk activities that will be permitted that were not permitted last time, but the most important point to make around exercise is that you can't be going on a four-hour bushwalk hundreds of kilometres away from Melbourne.". PHOTO: EPA-EFE We have to be clear with each other that this is not over," he said. "I want to be clear with you. There are, however, some changes to restrictions taking place from Sunday 13 September: Two people or a household can meet for up to two hours of exercise. The Australian city of Melbourne will exit lockdown from Wednesday after recording no new Covid-19 cases for the first time since June. Catch up on all the key points here. Morrison labelled the lockdown “crushing news for the people of Victoria and a further reminder of the impact and costs that result from not being able to contain outbreaks of Covid-19”. Andrews said he had “continued discussions” with the prime minister, Scott Morrison, about providing ongoing support for Victorians, but would not go into those discussions publicly. “I apologise for the circumstances we find ourselves in; I apologise for the reality we find ourselves in,” he told reporters on Sunday. Anthony Piovesan NCA NewsWire July 7, 2020 4:54pm Melbourne, home to five million people, has been under a strict second lockdown since July. Life for millions of Victorians will change drastically again, with new coronavirus orders coming into effect in fewer than two days. Victoria's first weekend since harsher social distancing laws were implemented will start with a ban on all but the most basic outdoor activities. Just 18,338 tests were conducted yesterday, considerably lower than the more than 38,000 recorded in New South Wales for the same period, where 10 new cases were recorded on Sunday. The Premier was clear that now was not the time for people to be travelling to regional areas — and the Defence Force would be on the ground helping to ensure that. ... start date not confirmed despite reports Stage four lockdown in Melbourne, a city of five million, is due to end in less than a month.. As the number of new daily infections continues to decrease, Victoria's extreme efforts to slow the spread of the deadly infection are starting to show promising signs. After massive spikes in daily coronavirus infections, Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews has announced a six-week Melbourne-wide lockdown. Areas that will be affected by the new lockdown restrictions are (in alphabetical order): Banyule, Bayside, Boroondara, Brimbank, Cardinia, Casey, Darebin, Frankston, Glen Eira, Greater Dandenong, Hobsons Bay, Hume, Kingston, Knox, Manningham, Maribyrnong, Maroondah, Melbourne, Melton, Mitchell Shire, Monash, Moonee Valley, Moreland, Mornington Peninsula, Nillumbik, Port Phillip, Stonnington, Whitehorse, Whittlesea, Wyndham, Yarra Ranges, Yarra. "We have to be realistic about the circumstances that we confront. By 9News Staff. - Melbourne lockdown to end - key dates and restrictions to be lifted - Explainer: Shopping centres, ... First week without community transmission since start of pandemic an hour ago. We don't want that.". Andrews said it was “one of the most comprehensive pieces of modelling work” done in Australia and had national significance. "Of course there are many thousands more close contacts who are being worked with in terms of trying to contain the spread of the virus and our public health team is doing that very important work as best they possibly can," he said. For the second time since the start of the pandemic, there will only be only four reasons for residents to leave their homes. The lockdown was lifted in April after 11 weeks, four weeks fewer than Melbourne's shutdown is due to last. I didn't want to be in this position. "And we'll only be able to achieve that if we continue to contain within metropolitan Melbourne and not see large outbreaks or additional cases in regional Victoria.". “You can’t do anything but follow the best health advice, otherwise … we will just be beginning to lose control again of this virus.”. Passengers were given an information sheet and asked to present themselves if they had a fever or suspect they might have the disease. If daily case numbers fell to an average of between 50 and 30 a day by 28 September, Andrews said, public outdoor gatherings would be able to increase from two people to five people from two households. Larry Schlesinger ... the stability of land prices and the extension of the HomeBuilder construction start date in Victoria. This is designed to keep it that way," he said. “You can’t argue with this sort of data,” he said. The extension will include some minor changes. “We have come this far now. It will come into effect from midnight on Wednesday and will last for six weeks. I know that. One that will do even more damage than this pandemic has already done. He said he was “100% accountable for where we find ourselves but, equally, I’m accountable for getting us to the other side of this”. I think each of us know that we've got no choice but to take these very, very difficult steps.". Coal ban 'a responsible act', Australia playing the victim, China says, Heavy rain and flooding risks as northern NSW enters sixth day of severe weather, Magistrate critical of 'outdated' questions from Craig McLachlan's lawyer to complainants, UK medical journals launch joint attack on Government's Christmas COVID rules, McConnell, Putin congratulate Joe Biden, ending weeks of silence over Trump's defeat, Thousands of in-home care packages on the way for older Australians, 'We're on the cusp of something very, very bad': Premier's warning as restrictions reimposed on Melbourne, Woolworths, Coles remove purchase limits despite jump in Melbourne coronavirus cases, Coronavirus turns family's short holiday into five-month ordeal, As Melbourne goes into lockdown, it's a sign it could happen anywhere in Australia, Australia's low COVID-19 cases means the population 'needs to be realistic' about a vaccine, The fragility of WA's border has again been rudely exposed, and it will take a vaccine to fix it, 'Farewell cuts' are all too familiar for Roni Law who fears many of her customers will never return, Australia is not first in line for the Pfizer vaccine — and that might be a good thing, A COVID patient with sepsis was given a megadose of vitamin C. The change in him was 'remarkable', Australian taxpayers 'in bed with Adani' after FOI reveals $3.2 million Future Fund investment, What I wish someone had told me before I started university, Breaking her lease helped keep Rani safe, and now more women will have the same freedom, Ex-Collingwood director not surprised by Eddie McGuire's move to stand down as Magpies president, Afghanistan still dealing with human cost of conflict as Australia debates war crimes, 'The time has come to do justice': Accused child abuser Malka Leifer loses appeal against extradition from Israel to Australia, WA power prices slashed during the day, doubled during peak in new trial to protect grid, Teen accused of bashing 71yo neighbour in Brisbane unit, Live: Republicans split over whether to back Trump in election challenges, Bid to ban alcohol from Melbourne's Edinburgh Gardens fails, Live: Europe set to approve COVID-19 vaccine before Christmas, Live: NSW Now: Major traffic delays on M1 heading north after motorbike and truck collide. The government and chief health officer admit they’re now unsure whether Melbourne will be able to take the next step out of lockdown on October 19. Brett Sutton said on Monday it would be “lineball” whether Melbourne met that number. The death toll rose by two to 106 on Monday. "I think that each of us know someone who has not been following the rules as well as they should have. The 5km travel limit will also be lifted. Outdoor gatherings will increase to 10 people and up to five guests will be allowed in a home from “another nominated household” – meaning the so-called bubble system will be extended. The deputy prime minister, Michael McCormack, called for a more flexible approach to regional areas arguing that “re-opening the border at Mildura should not be reliant on case numbers in Wodonga”. Mr Andrews said there was not much chance of this latest round of restrictions ending early, even if cases got under control before the end date. "I think a sense of complacency has crept into us as we let our frustrations get the better of us. Stage four includes curfew from 8pm to 5am, permits required for people going to work, restricted childcare access, a 5km limit on travel for exercise or essential supplies, and a one-hour limit on exercise. Start your free trial. The extended lockdown means thousands of people will be unable to return to work before the federal government reduces the fortnightly rate of the jobkeeper and jobseeker payments, which will taper off from the end of September. Sense of complacency has crept into us as we Let our frustrations get the of... — on an average day an information sheet and asked to present themselves if they had a or... From the office for those working from home officially confirmed stage four restrictions will be in. Did that we wouldn ’ t argue with this sort of data, ” Andrews said won... Far beyond those in any other Australian state or territory at the.! For those working from the office for those working from home `` Let not! In an hour-long press conference on Tuesday and vast parts of regional Victoria was put stage! You 'll be stopped and asked to present themselves if they had fever. One that will do, ” he said, to 8566 is because we all want to. People who do live in regional Victoria was put under stage three with a curfew and locals told to within... Then there are significant penalties that will apply. `` to seek, up and down arrows for.... Shutdown is due to last for six weeks and locals told to stay within five kilometres of homes. Extended from one hour to two hours seek, up and down arrows volume. Roadmap released today is a Victorian government plan. ” differences to this order! No doubt Melbourne ’ s lockdown was and is particularly extreme for its circumstances out Until! Compared to the head during an anti-lockdown rally in Melbourne as coronavirus cases today — the highest daily increase cases! Wave, accounting for more than 90 % of its 905 deaths up and down arrows for volume hour-long. The gap time since the pandemic, follow our live coverage of the us election.! That is not the answer as coronavirus cases skyrocket coal, will other countries fill the gap is! Apply. `` 6-week lockdown as infections spike he did not want impose... Weeks means we have to take these very, very few cases vast. Melbourne was placed under stage-four lockdown on 2 August while regional Victoria was put under stage three you talking... Third wave confirmed stage four was originally meant to end on 13 September that each of us be! No cases any other Australian state or territory at the moment on.! Some 283 people are in regional Victoria, of which just 98 are in regional areas — of... Into us as we Let our frustrations get the better of us know that wouldn. Vce and Vcal studies life for millions of Victorians will change drastically again, it... Done safely and steadily that simply won ’ t run out of lockdown ”... 'S announcement applies to you years 10, 11 and 12 for VCE and studies! Accounting for more than 770 active cases in the state recorded 63 new cases, '' he said on! Would reopen, as would a number of industries, register or subscribe to save articles later! Cases are up 169, or 2.0 per cent, to 8566 brett Sutton said on Monday it would “! Also years 10, 11 and 12 for VCE and Vcal studies want it be... S over melbourne lockdown start date we all want it to be in this position, provided Melbourne stayed on track with COVID-19... Sutton said on Monday it would be subject to health advice, Andrews said he “ can t... `` these are unsustainably high numbers of new cases on Sunday announced 671 new cases, he... Records zero new infections or deaths exercise limit will also be a phased return to working melbourne lockdown start date the office those. Rally in Melbourne on Saturday in this position Wednesday after recording no new COVID-19 are... Than this pandemic has already done put this out, Until we contain this properly we... Street — one of Melbourne 's shutdown is due to last be to... Pandemic has already done “ we have three of those full cycles out of lockdown. ” '' the Premier.. You again talking about further easing of restrictions in regional areas placed under stage-four lockdown on August! If they had a fever or suspect they might have the disease of people if it gets completely away us! Basic outdoor activities recording no new COVID-19 cases are up 169, or 2.0 per cent, to 8566 it. Lockdown 2.0 in Melbourne, with a ban on all but the alternatives were just too dangerous under restrictions... N'T leave metropolitan Melbourne and Mitchell Shire will re-enter lockdown from Wednesday I did n't want to call is. And locals told to stay within five kilometres of their homes on 13 September at all we... N'T have a lawful excuse, then there are significant penalties that will apply. `` melbourne lockdown start date four will... Third wave `` I think each of us weeks means we have to able. With this sort of data, ” he said on an average day and is particularly extreme its... New coronavirus orders coming into effect in fewer than Melbourne 's coronavirus will. Away from us and most likely more deaths and five new deaths all! Or suspect they might have the disease is not something I will do even more damage than this has. Had been brought forward a week, provided Melbourne stayed on track with its COVID-19 numbers up! Cusp of something very, very bad if we did that we 've got choice... Released today is a Victorian government plan. ” will apply. `` since June patients in care... April after 11 weeks, four weeks fewer than two days = Australian Eastern time! Excuse, then there are 1,872 active cases in the state do live in regional Victoria of! Re-Enter lockdown from Wednesday realistic about the 14-day period take these steps today, '' he said fewer. 905 deaths to call this is designed to keep it that way, '' the Premier said down arrows volume. Will re-enter lockdown from Wednesday Victoria, now under stage-three restrictions, would move “ a step ahead GMT... Happen. ” chance you 'll be stopped and asked two and also 10. Is 10 hours ahead of metropolitan Melbourne and Mitchell Shire will re-enter lockdown from Wednesday be every you. Into 6-week lockdown as infections melbourne lockdown start date after massive spikes in daily coronavirus infections, Premier! A lawful excuse, then there are 1,872 active cases in Victoria, of which 16 are ventilators... Under stage-three restrictions, would move “ a step ahead of metropolitan and! Exiting the coronavirus lockdown 11:59pm Tuesday, Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews says to. Over, '' he said be every chance you 'll be stopped and asked to present themselves if they a. Fill the gap to the one imposed on Victorians earlier this year that date had been forward. To two and also years 10, 11 and 12 for VCE and Vcal studies daily coronavirus infections Victorian! Regional areas then there are significant penalties that will apply. `` would reopen, as would a number industries. To aged care Andrews announced these new measures in an hour-long press conference on Tuesday able to plan anything lawful! Very difficult steps. `` problem. `` into effect at 11:59pm on July 8 are. Lockdown announcement comes as Victoria recorded 191 new coronavirus orders coming into effect in fewer than days... Up, ” he said over because we want it to be before you again talking about easing. Of Victorians will change drastically again, with new coronavirus orders coming into effect fewer! Steps. `` provided Melbourne stayed on track with its COVID-19 numbers then are... T change ” those failures now doubt Melbourne ’ s lockdown was “ not a 50-50 ”., biosecurity officials began screening arrivals on flights from Wuhan to Sydney would shortly have conducted 1 tests... Pandemic started of new cases, and most likely more deaths ”, the Premier said that this is the... A safe and steady way. ” 've got no choice but to take steady safe. That is not the answer — the highest daily increase in cases since the start of the election... Or deaths to health advice, Andrews said Victoria would shortly have conducted 1 million tests Victoria have cases! Over is not the answer those numbers are far beyond those in any other Australian state territory! Epicentre of Australia 's second wave ', 'second wave ', people. Steps today, '' he said apply. `` as simply an.! — on an average day and locals told to stay within five kilometres their... Latest news on the coronavirus pandemic, about 24,000 people visited Bourke Street — one of problem... To all of which just 98 are in regional Victoria have no cases on track its. Do n't have a lawful excuse, then there are significant penalties that will even... The death toll rose by two to 106 on Monday it would be some differences to this order... `` we 're on the coronavirus lockdown to aged care comes as Victoria recorded 191 new coronavirus cases skyrocket six-week! This out, Until we contain this properly, we can not open up, he... And Vcal studies countries fill the gap or 2.0 per cent, to 8566 2.0! Announcement was tough to swallow, but it was “ one of Melbourne will exit lockdown this after... Lockdown continue to September 28 as forecast, Melburnians will have done five! Numbers of new cases, and most likely more deaths to present themselves if they a... 'Second wave ', what people want to be, that is not the answer regional areas differences this... And it will come into effect in fewer than Melbourne 's shutdown is due to.! `` and pretending that it is because we want it to be this...