Vic crisis talks over statewide lockdown

Victoria could be plunged into a full lockdown with tighter restrictions as senior ministers hold crisis meeting.

Victoria could be plunged into a full lockdown with senior ministers holding urgent meetings on Friday evening to consider imposing further restrictions.

 

It comes as the total number of Covid cases in Shepparton in Victoria's north rises to 12.

Meanwhile, NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian has announced harsh new restrictions for Sydney as she confirmed 642 new cases and four deaths linked to Covid-19.

Greater Sydney's lockdown has been extended until the end of September.

A new mask rule comes into effect on Monday. Unless you’re doing strenuous exercise, you will need to wear one if you leave the house anywhere in NSW.

A curfew will be put in place in the parts of Sydney most affected by rising cases from Monday and will apply between 9pm and 5am. People in those suburbs will only be allowed to exercise for one hour a day.

These new rules apply to the Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Bayside, Blacktown, Burwood, Campbelltown, Canterbury-Bankstown, Cumberland, Fairfield, Georges River, Liverpool, Parramatta, Strathfield, and some suburbs of Penrith.

Also in today's conference it was revealed that a group of 11 people who attended an illegal beachside party in Sydney's east have tested positive to Covid.

Chief health officer Dr Kerry Chant blasted the illegal gathering in Maroubra in today's press conference. She said residents cannot be doing this when the rate of infection was so high.

Follow our live coverage below. We also have a dedicated blog for Victoria, which you can find here.