Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews has said “today is by far the hardest day” as he announced 671 new cases of COVID-19 and seven deaths along with new unprecedented stage four restrictions.
The premier declared a state of disaster from 6pm tonight in addition to the state of emergency and said he had been left with “no alternative” but to impose the harsher restrictions on Melbourne.
“I know these are difficult decisions. This is a very difficult day. These are the decisions I’ve made because these are the ones that will keep Victorians safe,” Mr Andrews said.
Metropolitan Melbourne will start its curfew from 8pm tonight however was placed under stage four restrictions two hours earlier at 6pm. The curfew will run from 8pm to 5am every day.
“The only reason to be out of your home between the hours of 8pm and 5am is to get care, to give care, or to go to and from work or be at work. We can no longer have people visiting others. We can no longer have people simply out and about for no good reason whatsoever,” Mr Andrews said.
Supermarket shopping has been limited to one person per household from 6pm and can be no further than five kilometres from home.
Recreational activity has been banned and outdoor exercise limited to one hour each day.
Regional Victoria will also go into stage three restrictions from midnight on Wednesday.
The restrictions will apply for six weeks.
Meanwhile, Queensland recorded one new case of COVID-19 on Sunday after a man who returned from overseas but was granted an exemption to fly domestically from Sydney to the Sunshine Coast tested positive. There were 12 new cases in NSW where Premier Gladys Berejiklian said masks will be encouraged in certain circumstances from Monday
