Australia steps up police patrols in virus hotspots

Australian police set up suburban checkpoints in coronavirus hotspots in Melbourne on Thursday and were considering using drones to enforce stay-athome orders as authorities struggled to contain new outbreaks in the country's second-largest city. More than 1,000 police set up posts around 36 suburbs, which returned to lockdown after a spike in new infections.

While the rest of Australia opened state borders and loosened social distancing restrictions, Melbourne's state of Victoria promised to fine those in the affected zones that breached curbs on non-essential movement.

Victoria reported 77 new cases, up slightly from the previous day and in line with weeks of double-digit daily increases. The state government has also commenced an inquiry into enforcement of hotel quarantine for people returning from overseas amid worries some new infections came from people who had dodged the mandatory twoweek isolation.

"I'm obviously concerned about the outbreak, and I'm pleased that the premier has taken the action he's taken by putting in place the lockdown for the outbreak in those suburbs," Prime Minister Scott Morrison said in a televised news conference, referring to the Victorian state government.

"We have seen some levelling (in new cases) although they remain at elevated levels and that is of concern and that means as the lockdown now is in place, we would hope to see those numbers fall again."

Victoria police commissioner Shane Patton promised a heavy presence in "highvolume public places" and said police may even use drones to track down people travelling for reasons other than work, school, healthcare and grocery shopping.