The authorities announced in Melbourne, the second largest Australian city, on Sunday to impose a curfew at night after high cases of infection with the Corona virus, mostly due to local infection, despite the strong restrictions imposed.
The state of Victoria, which is the capital of Melbourne, is witnessing a second wave of Corona virus outbreak since last June, when last Thursday it recorded 723 new cases.
Today, Sunday, Prime Minister Daniel Andrews said that seven people have died from the virus, bringing the death toll from the virus to the state 123 people and across Australia, 208 cases, adding that Victoria has recorded 671 new cases of the virus.
Andrews declared a "state of emergency", giving the police and other authorities additional powers, in addition to imposing new restrictions, including the suspension of Parliament.
"A curfew will be imposed in the city of Melbourne from 8 pm local time (1000 GMT) this evening and every day," Andrews told reporters in Melbourne.
"The only reason to leave the house during curfew hours is to provide care, obtain it, or go to work and return from it," he added.
Residents of the city will be allowed to shop once a day and do sports for no more than an hour a day within five kilometers of their homes.
"These are big but necessary steps. We have to limit the movement and transmission of the virus," Andrews said.
He pointed out that there are 760 "mysterious societal infections" whose source cannot be traced, which he described as "an unacceptably high level" and "the biggest challenge we face."
