Coronavirus Australia live: Hunt admits outbreak more significant than expected

Heath Minister Greg Hunt has admitted the scale of Melbourne's coronavirus outbreak has taken authorities by surprise. 

Australian Health Minister Greg Hunt has admitted the size and scale of Melbourne's coronavirus outbreak is "more significant than anybody had anticipated".

 

Speaking to Tracy Grimshaw on A Current Affair on Tuesday evening, Mr Hunt said "the extent of the breach, the scope of the breach from hotel quarantine, and the impact has had a profound effect on Victorians."

"What we are facing now, the response we had planned for, unfortunately, is on a scale that is greater than was expected".

On Tuesday Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews announced stage three restrictions will be introduced for greater Melbourne and Mitchell Shire from midnight Wednesday. This came after the state recorded 191 new coronavirus cases, its highest daily number since the outbreak began.  

The NSW-Victoria border will close from 12.01am on Wednesday, July 8. 

Australia has recorded a total 8566 cases of COVID-19, with 3244 in New South Wales, 2824 in Victoria, 1068 in Queensland, 443 in South Australia, 621 in Western Australia, 228 in Tasmania, 108 in the Australian Capital Territory and 30 in the Northern Territory.

Australia’s coronavirus death toll is 106. 

Our live coverage has ended for the evening, here's how the day unfolded.