Victoria records 108 coronavirus infections in the second biggest spike since the pandemic began – with an immediate, unprecedented and total lockdown for public housing towers
- Victoria reports 108 coronavirus infections in second biggest spike ever
- Only bigger jump in daily totals was on March 28, when 111 cases were reported
- Nine public housing towers in two post codes will go into ‘hard’ lockdowns
- No one will be allowed to leave their units ‘for any reason’, Daniel Andrews said
- Stay at home orders will go into force at 11.59pm Saturday in post codes 3031 and 3051
Victoria has reported 108 new coronavirus infections in the second biggest spike in daily positive tests since the pandemic began as unprecedented ‘hard’ lockdowns of nine public housing towers.
Premier Daniel Andrews announced the alarming figure alongside news stay at home orders will go into place in two post codes, 3031 (Flemington, Kensington) and 3051 (North Melbourne) from 11.59pm on Saturday.
Nine public housing towers in those two suburbs will enter total lockdown immediately and no one will be able to go in or out for at least five days.
‘There will be no-one going in other than residents who are returning home and no-one will be allowed out of those public housing towers,’ Mr Andrews said.
Premier Daniel Andrews made the dramatic announcement at a press conference on Saturday
A ‘total lockdown’ is a first for Australia during the pandemic as Victoria’s second wave continues to escalate.
Premier Daniel Andrews said it will affect approximately 3000 residents who live in 1,345 units.
‘If you’re in one of the towers that the minister has just read out, then you will not be allowed to leave your unit, your dwelling within that tower for any reason,’ he said.
In Flemington, the high density complexes at 12 Holland Court, 120 Racecourse Road, 126 Racecourse Road and 130 Racecourse Road will go into hard lockdown immediately.
In North Melbourne, 12 Sutton Street; 33 Alfred Street; 76 Canning Street; 159 Melrose Street and 9 Pampas Street will go into hard lockdown also.
Victoria has only reported a bigger spike once before, with 111 coronavirus infections on March 28, during the height of the pandemic.
There are now 38 Melbourne suburbs in localised lockdowns after massive outbreaks in the city’s northern and western suburbs.
It comes amid growing fears the pandemic will easily spread around the country from the nation’s second biggest city.
Already on Saturday traveller from Melbourne on board an XPT train was detained after suffering COVID-19 like symptoms.
It comes as two Kmart stores, in Barkly Square, Brunswick, and another in Footscray closed after staff members tested positive on Saturday.
Both discount variety stores are being closed for deep cleaning.