- Melbourne authorities have begun re-introducing restrictions as the number of local COVID-19 cases continues to rise
- Five people have now tested positive for the virus, with the latest case on Tuesday involving a man in his 60s
- It’s believed he’s linked to the previous four cases announced on Monday, who all live in Whittlesea, in Melbourne’s outer north
- From 6pm, everyone aged over 12 will be asked to wear masks, while public gatherings have been limited to 30 people and households to five guests
- Experts believe the new cases may be linked to a previous case, where a Melbourne man caught the virus while in quarantine in South Australia
Victorian authorities have begun re-introducing lockdown restrictions as the number of local COVID-19 cases continues to rise.
One new case of coronavirus was recorded in Victoria on Tuesday, bringing the total number of local cases to five.
The latest case involves a man in his 60s and authorities believe he’s linked to the previous four cases announced on Monday, who all live in Whittlesea in Melbourne’s outer north.
Victorian Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton said it appeared one of the cases was highly infectious and might have passed the virus on to several people.
“The viral load was high and with close contacts becoming positive, he is likely to be quite infectious,” Dr Sutton said.
“We have to ready ourselves for any other positives and when there are close contacts who do become positive, that raises the possibility that even a casual contact could become positive as well.”
Acting Premier James Merlino has announced lockdown restrictions will come back into effect from 6pm today.
These include everyone aged over 12 being asked to wear masks while out in public, all public gatherings limited to 30 people and households limited to a total of five guests.
“Schools and workplaces remain open,” the Acting Premier confirmed.
“Victorians who live in greater Melbourne and travel to regional Victoria can do so. But the restrictions travel with them.”
Genomic testing has linked the five new cases of COVID-19 to a previous case, where a Melbourne man caught the virus while in quarantine in South Australia.
However health experts are still unsure how any of the new cases may have come into contact with the older case.