Premier Daniel Andrews has revealed Victoria is already effectively in stage four lockdown restrictions as he issued a harrowing plea to young Melburnians to take the coronavirus pandemic seriously.
Victoria detected another 459 coronavirus cases and 10 more deaths on Sunday, including a man in his 40s.
For Victorians who fear stage four lockdown restrictions are imminent, the Premier says they came into effect across metropolitan Melbourne and Mitchell Shire on Thursday with the implementation of mandatory masks.
Anyone who leaves their home for essential reasons must wear a mask or risk a $200 fine if they’re caught without one.
Melbourne is already ‘effectively’ in stage four lockdown with mandatory masks. Pictured is a young woman obeying the strict new rules as she cycles around St Kilda on Saturday
‘Masks are effectively our stage four,’ Mr Andrews told reporters on Saturday.
‘If they are worn by everybody, we may not need to go further. We can’t rule out going further with rule changes, but it’s a big game changer.’
Chief Health Officer Professor Brett Sutton holds grave fears further restrictions may not be as effective.
‘People have talked about stage four and a broader shutdown but the very places where we are seeing outbreaks, the very places where we are seeing transmission, are the places that would remain open if we went to a stage four sectoral shutdown,” he said.
Mr Andrews later penned a passionate public Facebook plea aimed at young Victorians who continue to ignore the six-week lockdown restrictions across Melbourne.
Premier Daniel Andrews has urged young Melburnians in a harrowing plea to take the coronavirus pandemic seriously as the state struggles to control a second wave of infections. Pictured are Melburnians out exercising on Saturday
‘I promise this isn’t a lecture, or a lesson – and I’m not trying to blame you for anything either,’ the Victorian leader’s lengthy message starts.
‘I’m not your dad, I’m not your boss, and I’m not your teacher.
‘But I’ve got a message I want to share with young Victorians.
‘Chances are, you probably know someone who isn’t following the rules.’
He shared some harrowing figures about the virus that has crippled the state for a second time within months.
The pandemic has claimed 61 Victorians in the last six months.
Of almost 4,000 active cases, 42 patients are fighting for life in intensive care.
Among those in hospital are eight patients aged under-30, including two children.
Daniel Andrews (pictured) says that like most Australians, he’s over the ongoing pandemic
‘Young Victorians just like you – with no idea how long they might be there, or just how bad it might get,’ Mr Andrews wrote.
‘And those people you see on TV, those numbers we plot every morning – they aren’t casualties of some war being fought in a distant place,’ ‘They’re real people – real Victorians – and none of them ever thought they’d be fighting for their lives.
‘I know it’s hard, I know it’s frustrating, and I know you’re over this – believe me, I am too.’
Mr Andrews added he doesn’t blame anyone wanting to be with their friends right now.
‘You might even find a way to rationalise it: It’s a small gathering, you won’t get caught, your mates don’t have the virus,’ he said.
‘The entire pandemic might feel like miles away from you, and your community, and your friends, and your life.’
ADF personnel and Victorian police officers patrol Fitzroy Gardens in Melbourne on Saturday as the number of cases continues to climb
He warned more lives will be lost and restrictions will get tighter if Victorians continue to ignore and flout the rules.
‘So please – whether it’s for yourself, your mates, your mum, your nan, your state, or just to get past these restrictions,’ Mr Andrews pleaded.
‘Do the right thing.’
The Victorian government is rolling out the confronting advertisements to make the invisible experiences of coronavirus patients ‘real’ to the rest of the community.
One ad features middle-aged man Michael, who shares his heartbreaking battle with the virus and compared his fight for life ‘like drowning’ as he tried to gasp for air.
His wife also contracted the virus while his mother-in-law later succumbed to the disease.
The Premier warned more lives will be lost and restrictions will get tighter if Victorians continue to ignore