

Read our full coverage on COVID-19 here Loading. The state had been slowly easing out of that lockdown, with mask rules only recently relaxed and caps on social gatherings and hospitality still in place. The last time Victoria recorded any Delta cases, the state was already in its fourth lockdown, meaning movement in the community was limited. The outbreak is being driven by the fast-moving Delta variant of the virus which is spreading in New South Wales. The fourth lockdown in late May was slated as a seven-day "circuit-breaker" but it stretched to 14 days as more cases emerged, with tight restrictions staying in place even after the lockdown officially lifted. The state's third lockdown in February lasted for five days, with restrictions lifting fairly rapidly once it was over. You can find information on testing site hours and the nearest site to you on the Department of Health's website. "I am not prepared to avoid a five-day lockdown now only to find ourselves in a five-week or a five-month lockdown." Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467."If you wait, if you hesitate, if you doubt, then you will always be looking back wishing you had done more earlier. Cameron Houston J12.01am Normal text size Larger text size Very large text size People of African and Middle Eastern appearance were four times more likely to receive fines for breaching Victoria’s lockdown rules in 2020, when allowing for their percentage of the state’s population, according to a new report. "You only have one chance to go hard," he said. Mr Andrews said he wanted to act "fast and early".

There are now 75 exposure sites and 1,500 primary close contacts in the state.Īll the cases are linked to a known source from the two separate incursions that came from New South Wales. “The company involved has been helpful and are assisting with these enquiries,” the statement said. In a statement, Victoria Police said it was “assisting the Department of Health with their investigation in establishing the movements of the removalist team from New South Wales across Victoria". On Thursday night, Victorian police confirmed they were investigating the removalists. Most of the recent infections have been linked to a group of removalists from New South Wales who travelled through the state, and then to South Australia, while infectious. The other new case announced this afternoon is a personal close contact of the Ariele apartment complex in Maribrynong, but not a resident.

The two new cases announced this afternoon include one linked to the MCG, bringing to three the cases linked to Saturday's Geelong-Carlton game. Mask rules were already tightened overnight to respond to the outbreak, which is now linked to 18 cases.
