Melbourne
The second largest city in Australia puts their wards back on, after the fresh outbreak of the covid cases. The state of Victoria was the hardest-hit during the second wave last year, accounting for 70 per cent of total cases and 90 per cent of deaths in Australia. They had the worlds longest and strictest lockdown.
As the authorities are not sure of the spread, they have reinstated the restrictions since the 25th of May. This outbreak ends Victoria states run of zero cases for three months. All the five cases in the new outbreak belonged to one extended family, who lived in different households. All the cases were the variant that was found in an overseas traveller who had retuned to Melbourne after completing quarantine in Adelaide but they don’t know how the people who were tested positive was in contact with him.
The restrictions state that home gatherings will be limited to five guests, public to 30 guests and face masks indoors in public places will be mandatory from 6pm local time till the 4th of July.
“This is a responsible step that we need to take to get on top of this outbreak,” James Merlino, Victoria state’s acting premier, told reporters in Melbourne.
Many of the people have been ordered to self-isolate and take COVID-19 tests with health alerts. One of the person who was tested positive had a high viral load while he visited some venues, prompting authorities to warn Melbourne’s 5 million residents to brace for more positive cases in the next few days.
Speedy tracing systems, movement curbs and social distancing have been put in place to help Australia contain COVID-19 outbreaks. It has recorded just over 30,000 cases and 910 deaths since the pandemic began.
New Zealand to Suspend Quarantine-Free Travel With Victoria
The neighbouring Island of Australia, New Zealand has taken precaution by pausing travel with the Australian state of Victoria for 72 hours.
Covid-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins said in an emailed statement. The suspension will be in effect while the source of infection of five cases announced in Melbourne in the last two days is being investigated. “While the case announced today is not unexpected as a contact of a case announced yesterday, New Zealand officials have assessed that the most cautious option is to pause the travel bubble with Victoria as there are still several unknowns with the outbreak”.
