Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews has announced the whole state will go into lockdown for five days from 11.59pm on Friday night until 11.59pm on Wednesday.
Under the Stage 4 restrictions, there will only be four reasons to leave home: essential work, supplies, exercise and care. Face masks must be worn indoors and outdoors and no visitors to homes or public gatherings will be permitted. A 5km limit will apply for exercise and shopping.
Mr Andrews said there were 19 cases in Victoria and urged all Victorians who showed symptoms to get tested.
He said since the outbreak of the UK strain in Victoria the virus was moving “at a velocity that has not been seen in our country over the past 12 months” and the state would “need a circuit-breaker” to combat the speed of spread.
More to come.
