Australia's second most populous state of Victoria will enter a one-week COVID-19 lockdown forcing its near seven million residents to remain home except for essential business as authorities struggle to contain a highly-infectious outbreak.
Acting Premier James Merlino says economic measures handed down in Victoria’s budget will not be impacted by the implementation of a fourth state lockdown.
“It goes to the importance of always following public health advice if we need to have a short sharp circuit breaker to make sure we don’t have another wave,” he said.
“That is the best way to protect our community, it’s the best way to protect our loved ones and it’s the best way to protect our economy.
“This is the engine room of the national economy.”
Mr Merlino flagged he had not yet made an assessment of the cost the lockdown would have on the state economy.
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Acting Premier James Merlino said the spread of the outbreak was causing great concern, with more than 10,000 primary and secondary contacts identified
Victoria s fourth lockdown might be its cruellest yet.
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Victoria is once again heading for stage 3 restrictions.
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The coronavirus cluster which began in Melbourne s north at the weekend expanded to 26 infections on Thursday, as residents were told they would be plunged into a seven-day lockdown from midnight.
Furious Victorians and politicians have slammed Scott Morrison over the slow vaccine rollout and the ailing hotel quarantine system as the state is plunged into another lockdown.
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