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'NO PLAN B': Aussie state reimposes coronavirus restrictions after spike

Victoria has been forced to defer easing a number of restrictions after the state recorded 25 new cases of the coronavirus.

Premier Daniel Andrews told reporters on Saturday he’s pushing back easing a number of restrictions.

From midnight on Sunday until July 12, all household gatherings in Victoria will only be allowed an extra five guests with public gatherings a maximum of 10.

Medical staff take down details after performing tests for the COVID-19 coronavirus on people who used a drive-through testing site in a Melbourne carpark.
Medical staff perform tests at a site in a Melbourne carpark. Source: Getty Images

Mr Andrews added restaurants, pubs and cafes will be allowed 50 patrons from July 12. Currently they are allowed just 20. This also includes auction houses, place of worship, libraries and museums.

However, gyms and other places which are set to reopen for the first time since lockdown will recommence as originally planned, Mr Andrews said.

“In the midst of the pandemics [there are] enormous consequences, not just in terms of safety people’s lives, but it also risks a second wave,” he said.

“And a second wave will be absolutely catastrophic to our economy. We are doing everything we possibly can.”

A couple sits by the edge of Albert Park Lake to watch the sunset as restrictions are being eased in Victoria.
A couple sits by the edge of Albert Park Lake as restrictions ease. Source: Getty Images

Victoria’s Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton said there was “no plan B”.

“We have to drive that down and get back to a point where we’ve got very low and potentially no transmission in the community where we can have the absolute confidence of easing restrictions, and getting to a point where we can confidently go about all of the activities that we’ve all been desperate to do for some time,” he said.

Saturday’s 25 new cases are up from 13 on Friday, 18 on Thursday and 21 on Wednesday.

In comparison, NSW had just one new case on Saturday while South Australia recorded none.

Wednesday’s Victorian total was the highest recorded increase in the state since May 4.

Three primary schools and a daycare centre in Melbourne were forced to close earlier this week for deep cleaning due to new cases.

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews speaks to the media in Melbourne.
Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews has pushed back easing a number of restrictions. Source: Getty Images (file pic)

Premier slams ‘unacceptable’ behaviour

Mr Andrews pointed out a number of families in the state, including people who had tested positive, have ignored health advice and transmitted the virus “behind closed doors”.

He added more than half of the new cases have come from family-to-family transmission.

"It is unacceptable that families anywhere in our state can, just because they want this to be over, pretend that it is," the premier said.

Mr Andrews added “the stakes are high” and people can’t make “bad decisions”.

“It doesn’t get better just because everybody who’s involved consents to it, or ‘our family wants to get together so we’re going to get together’, that isn’t the issue,” he said.

“That’s wrong, at a very personal level, but it’s potentially deadly across the whole state and that’s just not something that we can tolerate.”

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