Coronavirus: Stage 4 lockdown expected for Victoria

Victoria is expected to go into Stage 4 lockdown from Wednesday as the state’s dramatic virus collapse threatens national economic recovery.

Victoria is expected to go into the highest level of coronavirus lockdown since the COVID-19 crisis hit Australia – Stage 4 restrictions – in the early hours of Wednesday.

An announcement on the new level of restrictions aimed at halting Victoria’s spiralling coronavirus infection and death rates is expected on Sunday or Monday.

Victoria’s dramatic collapse on coronavirus is threatening any national economic recovery and has led to Victorians being blocked from travelling to other parts of Australia.

The tough new restrictions, similar to the New Zealand lockdown preventing movement and business, are expected to last for another six weeks and would close all but essential businesses and send high-school students back to learning from home.

The Morrison government’s whole budget strategy announced just two weeks ago was based on the assumption the Victorian Stage 3 lockdown would be lifted in just six weeks.

Under the NZ-style lockdown rules, supermarkets and chemists would remain open but restaurants and cafes would be restricted to takeaway service only.

But under the NZ rules, only one person from a family can go to a supermarket at a time and movements are limited to within 5km of home.

Public transport would be severely limited but exercise would be allowed with the existing rules on wearing a mask.

During the 48 hours since Thursday, both Daniel Andrews and Scott Morrison have indicated higher restrictions may be necessary in Victoria as “unknown” sources of COVID-19 infections have grown and undermined attempts to trace and contact infected people.

Victoria’s death toll has climbed dramatically in recent days and the infections rate is predicted to soar beyond all other Australian states and territories as well as some overseas sites.

There are now 5,919 active cases across Victoria, with 397 more infections detected on Saturday and three more deaths, taking the state’s death toll to 116.

The final decision on the move to Stage 4 restrictions is the sole responsibility of the Victorian Government and the timing of the decision and its announcement are in the hands of the Premier, Daniel Andrews.

Political circles in Victoria came alive on Saturday night with the speculation and expectation of a move to Stage 4 next week and The Australian understands an announcement is likely on Sunday or Monday.