Australia’s Victoria State has declared a disaster among growing new coronavirus restrictions across Melbourne and elsewhere from Sunday night.
Premier Daniel Andrews says the state of disaster proclamation gave police greater power.
He says 671 new coronavirus cases had been detected since Saturday, including seven deaths. It comes among a steadily increasing toll in both deaths and infections over the past six weeks in Victoria.
“If we don’t make these changes, we’re not going to get through this,” Andrews said. “We need to do more. That is what these decisions are about.”
An evening curfew will be implemented across Melbourne from 8:00pm to 5:00am.
He said there would be more announcements about workplaces on Monday, including the closure of certain industries.
Melbourne residents will only be allowed to shop and exercise within 5 kilometers (3 miles) of their homes. All students across the state will return to home-based learning and child care centers will be closed.
The deaths in Victoria took the national toll to 208.❑
