‘Catastrophic failure’: Melbourne reacts to lockdown return with upset and anger

Australia’s second-largest city will re-enter lockdown after a second wave of infections, and many Melburnians can barely believe it.

Five million Australians will re-enter lockdown for six weeks, after Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews ordered Melbourne to shut down amid a second wave of COVID-19 infections.

The devastating news was delivered this afternoon after 191 new cases of coronavirus were recorded in the past 24 hours – the largest increase since the pandemic began.

Rates of infection are now “unsustainable” and the only way to get on top of the spread is with drastic measures, otherwise countless people could die, Mr Andrews said.

“There is simply no alternative other than thousands and thousands of cases and potentially more,” he said.

“Many, many people in hospital and the inevitable tragedy that will come from that.”

Melburnians have been quick to react with a mix of shock, despair and anger about the “devastating” consequences of a second lockdown.

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Victorian Opposition leader Michael O’Brien was swift with his criticism, issuing a statement directly blaming Mr Andrews and the government for the resurgence of COVID-19.

“The spread of the virus isn’t down to bad luck – it’s bad decisions by government,” Mr O’Brien said.

“These lockdowns are the catastrophic consequences of Daniel Andrews’ failure on hotel quarantine, mixed messaging and from being more focused on Labor’s own political issues than Victorians.”

He also took aim at the premier levelling blame for the outbreak on “a sense of complacency (that) has crept into us”.

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Sequels are just the worst #melbournelockdown #covid19vic

— Eric Bana (@EricBana67) July 7, 2020

Really thinking of Melbourne friends, family, colleagues today.

Must be infinitely more difficult going into lockdown for a second time.

— Hamish Macdonald (@hamishNews) July 7, 2020

Back into 6 weeks of lockdown in Melbourne. pic.twitter.com/gtu8YwQbsp

— Johnny Cooper (@JohnnyCooper91) July 7, 2020

Here we go again. Stage 3 lockdown for metropolitan Melbourne for six week from midnight tomorrow. Goddamn. Deep breath. Okay Melburnians, let’s do this. We can do this 👍🏻

— MsMasksforEveryonePraxis (@MsPraxis) July 7, 2020

I would really appreciate if the creators of Bluey would drop us a season to get us through another six weeks of lockdown. #melbournelockdown #COVID19Aus #kids @ABCTV pic.twitter.com/lbKxxR15ra

— Mariam Tokhi (@mariamtokhi) July 7, 2020

Mr Andrews was critical of Victorians who’ve been “pretending this is over” and said people ignoring social distancing advice were “part of the problem”.

But the start of this second wave has been linked to a failure in hotel quarantine practices, with travellers returning from overseas allowed to flout the rules, go home early and leave for food breaks.

Security guards have also been accused of socialising with people in hotel quarantine, and some of having sex with people in isolation.

Those issues are now the subject of an inquiry.

“To all those Victorians who’ve done the right thing – thank you,” Mr O’Brien said. “You’ve been let down by your government but please don’t stop doing the right thing.”

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Melbourne going into stage 3 lockdown for 6 weeks has me feeling like pic.twitter.com/nEqRCFM9IA

— Kerstin (@Keisyooo) July 7, 2020

back to stage 3 lockdown for the next 6 weeks pic.twitter.com/6bE9Acf09U

— arya 🐈 stan account✨ (@ssassm_) July 7, 2020

Lots of visceral reactions to the 6 week lockdown on @abcmelbourne Drive talkback. Anger, anguish, confusion... It’s a tough day for so many people. We’ve got to beat this wretched virus. #COVID19Aus #COVID19Vic

— Michael Rowland (@mjrowland68) July 7, 2020

Melbourne is back in lockdown from tomorrow.

I’m thinking of organising a BLM rally for all my friends this weekend so we can hang out.

Who’s in?

— Avi Yemini 🇦🇺🇮🇱 (@OzraeliAvi) July 7, 2020

We all know its the right move, but God does to hurt to go back into lockdown. Especially another six weeks of not seeing family.#melbournelockdown

— James White (@jimmy_white) July 7, 2020

Social media has been flooded with posts from locals expressing anxiety, upset and sadness about the return to lockdown.

The government has copped flack for more than a week over the spike in cases, and Mr Andrews was asked today if he was sorry for the backward step.

“I’m very sorry that we find ourselves in this position,” he said.

“I would, with the greatest of respect, put it to you getting this virus and dying from it is very onerous too.”