Some of Melbourne’s public housing residents have been freed after their five-day hard lockdown

The public housing tower residents have emerged after being forced into a five-day hard lockdown. While some said they had food to last them weeks, others described the isolation as “hell” and “like a prison”.

Emergency services pack up at 159 Melrose St, North Melbourne. Picture: Ian Currie

Public housing residents have hailed their release from hard lockdown after being allowed to leave their flats for the first time since Saturday.

Richard Tam was first out the door at midnight when the restriction was lifted at his home at 76 Canning St, North Melbourne.

He said his first order of business was to post a letter to VicRoads.

He described the five nights locked inside as “terrible”.

“I was stuck on my floor, not allowed outside at all, no freedom. It was like a prison,” he said.

Residents of these housing commission flats in Flemington were able to leave their homes for the first time in five days. Picture: Ian Currie

He said he was relieved he didn’t have coronavirus and was happy to be back outside.

Despite initial fears that pushed the towers’ openng to midnight, there was no stampede of residents leaving the Flemington towers, with only a small handful of people have leaving their homes on Friday morning.

Police on foot are patrolling the towers to ensure the stage-three quarantine restrictions are obeyed.

Georgina Montgomery said the five day lockdown had been “very bad” and she got through it by watching lots of television.

“It has been hell,” she said. “Most of the police were really nice, they have done a good job.”

A Flemington tower resident takes her dog outside on Friday morning. Picture: Darrian Traynor/Getty Images

Inku Kang is among the tower residents who were freed overnight. Picture: NCA NewsWire/David Crosling

Desmond Silverwood emerges from a tight lockdown at the North Melbourne towers. Picture: NCA NewsWire/David Crosling

She was touched by police officers who volunteered to take her dog for a daily walk.

“She was the lucky one,” Ms Montgomery said about her dog.

The Flemington resident said she would take every precaution to stay healthy amid the pandemic.

“I wear two masks because I have no spleen,” she said.

“No one wants to get the virus. We don’t want it.”

Flemington tower resident Brian Gray said it was “fantastic” not to have contracted the virus.

He came downstairs about 1am to soak up the fresh air and enjoy a well deserved cigarette.

“Fresh air is very good after being inside for five days,” he said.

“I’ve come down for a smoke — it is fantastic to be let out. It means you haven’t got coronavirus. But it’s not over yet.”

A man goes for a walk after leaving one of the towers in North Melbourne. Picture: NCA NewsWire/David Crosling

A woman is taken into ambulance transport at the Alfred St tower in North Melbourne, which remains in tight lockdown. Picture: NCA NewsWire/David Crosling

Most of the public housing towers which have been in a strict lockdown have now been put on the standard lockdown. Picture: NCA NewsWire/David Crosling

Gafar Mahmoud said it was “very good” to have his freedom back.

Mr Mahmoud lives in a Flemington flat with his wife and seven-year-old son and is looking forward to going back to work as a cleaner on Sunday.

This morning he was wearing a face mask while waiting for his friend to go get a much needed caffeine fix from his favourite Newmarket cafe.

“Thank you to the government,” he said. “They ensure our safety for everybody.

“We’ve been given so much food, plenty, it will last for two, maybe three weeks.”

Mr Mahmoud came to Australia from Sudan in 2011.

Aman Aliyi, 26, said the hard lockdown was bearable.

“I liked it because we were staying away from all this trouble and the outbreaks going on outside,” he said.

Aman Aliyi gives the thumbs up after five days in lockdown. Picture: Ian Currie

Flemington tower resident Hussein celebrated his 18th birthday during the total lockdown. Picture: Darrian Traynor/Getty Images

A resident of the Pampas Street Public Housing complex in North Melbourne as lockdown restrictions eased. Picture: Getty Images

Richard Tam raises his hands in relief after five days in lockdown. Picture: Ian Currie

He said the drastic lock-in measure was justified.

“I think they had to do it. It’s an experience. You get used to it. My thanks to the Australian police.”

He said he was glad to be able to stretch his legs and walk around the block.

Flemington resident Robert Bulic, 46, was elated to be out of quarantine.

Mr Bulic went for a long walk with his dog this morning.

“I am really excited to be out,” he said. “I was getting cranky. I started talking to the walls.”

He said he felt “more than supported” by the community.

“I’ve got enough food to last me three months.”

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Police swarmed the towers during the hard lockdown. Picture: David Crosling

Residents were furious at being locked in. Picture: David Crosling

A massive police presence stopped people from leaving or entering over the five-day period. Picture: David Crosling