MELBOURNE (AUSTRALIA) – Australia’s Victoria state declared a disaster on Sunday, following which a nightly curfew was enforced for the capital Melbourne.
Melbourne, despite under a reimposed six-week stay-home order is struggling to control the disease.
Victoria, the second-most populous state, reported 671 infections and seven COVID-19 deaths, on Sunday, which is considered the highest so far.
Victoria Premier Daniel Andrews told a televised briefing, “The current rules have avoided thousands and thousands of cases each day, and then thousands of people in hospital and many more tragedies than we have seen. But it is not working fast enough.”
From Sunday evening, a curfew from 8 pm to 5 am every day will be implemented in Melbourne, except for allowing work or for those to receive or give care.
All schools will switch to remote learning from Wednesday. Supermarkets will remain open, and restaurants will be able to continue to have their takeaway and delivery services.
The state of disaster gives Victoria police additional powers to make sure that people are following the public-health directions.
Andrews said announcements on further restrictions for Victoria businesses will be made on Monday.
(Photos syndicated via Reuters)
This story has been edited by BH staff and is published from a syndicated field.