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The Australian state of Victoria extended a lockdown on its capital Melbourne on Sunday until Sept. 28 as the infection rate has declined more slowly than expected.
The hard lockdown was ordered on August 2 in response to a second wave of infections, which broke out in Melbourne.
Australia’s second-most populous state has been the epicenter of a second wave of Covid-19, which now accounts for about 75 percent of the country’s 26,282 cases and 90 percent of its 753 deaths.
Victoria reported 63 new coronavirus infections and five deaths on Sunday, down from the peak of 725 new cases on Aug.5. By contrast, Australia’s most populous state, New South Wales, has had no more than 13 cases a day since early August.
Melbourne’s Stage 4 restrictions, which were due to end on September 13, shut down most of the economy, limited people’s movements to a narrow area around their homes for an hour a day and imposed a curfew. night.
As of September 14, the rules will not be as strict, as the curfew will start an hour later at 9 p.m. and people can go outside for two hours instead of one, while those who live alone they can have a visitor.
Infection rate
If the infection rate declines as expected by the end of September, state Prime Minister Daniel Andrews said restrictions would gradually be relaxed over the next two months, although some companies would have to remain closed until the end of November.
Andrews said the models showed that cases would continue to average about 60 a day by next weekend, and if the state opened up too quickly, it would be on track for a third wave in mid-November.
“You have to defeat the second wave and do it correctly. Otherwise, only a third wave begins. A third wave will mean that we can’t do the economic fix that people desperately want us to do, ”Andrews said.
The federal government has blamed the shutdown in Victoria for dragging Australia deeper into its first recession in nearly 30 years, while other states have largely reopened their economies.
“Today’s announcement by the Victorian government to extend the closure agreements will be tough and crushing news for the people of Victoria and a further reminder of the impact and costs that result from being unable to contain the Covid-19 outbreaks,” said Prime Minister Scott Morrison. it said in a statement.
The pandemic has led to the loss of around 500,000 jobs in Victoria, including 250,000 under stage 4 restrictions.
Business groups were disappointed by the slow reopening signaled by Andrews.
Back to normal
After September 28, if daily infection rates have dropped to between 30 and 50 for 14 days, childcare, construction sites, manufacturing plants, and warehouses will return to normal, allowing 101,000 workers return to work.
The schools will also partially reopen and outdoor gatherings of up to five people will be allowed.
After October 26, if daily cases fall below five, cafes and restaurants could reopen, primarily for outdoor service, and shops and barber shops would reopen.
At the same time, the curfew would be lifted, with no limits to leaving the house, outdoor gatherings could increase to 10, and households could have five visitors.
After November 23, cafes, bars and restaurants could have more people inside, schools could reopen more fully, museums and other entertainment venues could reopen, and larger gatherings would be allowed.
Restrictions in the Victoria region will be eased as of September 14.
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