The state has experienced a record daily spike in COVID-19 cases.
Reports that Melbourne will revert back to Stage 3 restrictions have been validated by Daniel Andrews in a press conference held today. The news comes after Victoria recorded 191 new cases of COVID-19 overnight which brings the number of active cases in the state to 772.
Stage 3 restrictions will see people from metropolitan Melbourne and Mitchell Shire return to an earlier reality – one that was experienced during late March, April and early May. Such restrictions will mean that from 11:59pm on July 8 and for the next six weeks, residents will be unable to leave their homes for any reasons except for exercise, shopping for food or essential items, to provide caregiving or to seek medical treatment, or for work or study if you are unable to do so from home.
As part of the restrictions, you are unable to gather in groups of more than than two or your household group. Schools in affected areas will not reopen on Monday for term three as originally planned with school holidays extended for at least a week. That is apart from VCE students in year 10, 11 and 12 who will return to face-to-face learning. Restaurants, pubs, bars and cafes will revert back to takeaway.
“We have to be realistic about the circumstances that we confront. We have to be clear with each other that this is not over. And pretending that it is because we all want it to be over is not the answer. It is indeed part of the problem. A very big part of the problem,” Premier Andrews said in the press conference.
“I think a sense of complacency has crept into us as we let our frustrations get the better of us,” he continued. “I think that each of us know someone who has not been following the rules as well as they should have. I think each of us know that we’ve got no choice but to take these very, very difficult steps.”
Of the 191 cases recorded overnight, just 37 have been linked back to known outbreaks leaving 154 cases under investigation. 13 new cases stem from the residents of the North Melbourne and Flemington public housing estates under lockdown, which brings that outbreak to 69.
Statement from the Premier on Stay at Home restrictions for metropolitan Melbourne and Mitchell Shire. pic.twitter.com/7tc3esHZnH
— Dan Andrews (@DanielAndrewsMP) July 7, 2020
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