Victoria records its biggest coronavirus jump with 111 new cases overnight as state prepares to forcibly quarantine more than 1,000 international travellers in hotels TONIGHT
- Victoria total reached 685 after 111 people tested positive for the virus overnight
- Premier says state is preparing to quarantine up to 1,500 returning travellers
- Mandatory two-week stay in city hotels will ensure ‘self-isolation’ is enforced
- Australians will be forced into quarantine in the major city they fly into, PM said
- Coronavirus symptoms: what are they and should you see a doctor?
Victoria has recorded its biggest jump in coronavirus cases overnight taking the state total to 685.
A total of 111 more people have tested positive for COVID-19, marking the largest overnight increase since the outbreak.
In a press conference on Saturday, Premier Daniel Andrews said the state is also preparing to forcibly quarantine between 1,000 and 1,500 international travellers in city hotels.
More than 26,000 hotel rooms had been offered to house people returning from overseas, and 5,000 are immediately available for the hundreds that will be flying into Melbourne tonight.
Victoria Premier Daniel Andrews said on Saturday the state has recorded its largest overnight increase in coronavirus cases with 111 more people testing positive
The state is preparing to forcibly quarantine up to 1,500 travellers returning to Victoria on Saturday night in city hotels
‘It will ensure that we have 100 per cent compliance in terms of that 14-day quarantine period from midnight tonight for all of those coming into Victoria from overseas,’ he said.
The state government has arranged for 85 buses, provided by Skybus, to transport people from the airport to the various hotels reserved for them in the city.
The Premier said non-Victorian residents will still be required to quarantine in Melbourne.
‘Some Victorians, if they were flying home via Sydney or via another state, they will be quarantined in that state. That, I think, is the only appropriate way to do this,’ he added.
Mr Andrews also warned authorities are committed to enforcing strict social distancing and self-isolation rules, and will be issuing one-the-spot fines of up to $10,000 to anyone found to be in violation of those measures.
‘We are going beyond simply an infringement notice and court-based process for the enforcement of these very important orders made by the chief health officer,’ he said.
‘We’re moving to an on-the- spot fine system if people are doing the wrong thing.
‘If you can stay home, you must stay home. If you don’t, you will do nothing but spread the virus. And that will kill people. That is the simple message.
‘Unless we work together and be responsible, do the smart and decent thing and the lawful thing, then we will finish up with our health system over run and people dying.’
On Friday, Scott Morrison announced all returning overseas travellers will face a mandatory two-week stay in a city hotel to make sure ‘self-isolation’ is enforced.
The extraordinary quarantine measure will come into force for overseas arrivals from 11.59pm on Saturday night.
The clampdown is aimed at slowing the insidious spread of coronavirus as new data shows two-thirds of the 3,180 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Australia are from people returning from international trips.
Mr Morrison said state and territory police would be supported by the Australian Defence Force to ensure the new arrivals stayed put in dedicated hotels in major cities.
New arrivals in Australia will be forced into quarantine in hotels at their point of arrival in Australia