Australia to seal off 6.6 million people in virus-hit state as outbreak worsens
AUSTRALIA Australia will isolate 6.6 million people in the state of Victoria from the rest of the nation at 11.59 p.m. on Tuesday, as authorities take drastic action to control a coronavirus outbreak in the city of Melbourne.
The border between Victoria and New South Wales (NSW) Australia’s two mostpopulous states will be closed for the first time since the pandemic began, Victorian State Premier Daniel Andrews announced Monday. Military personnel and police will line the border, allowing very few people to cross, according to CNN affiliate 7NEWS.
Victoria has struggled to contain a second wave of coronavirus cases, leading to fears that the infection rate could soon rise across the country. Last week it emerged that some contracted workers in Melbourne were not following protocols at a hotel used to quarantine international arrivals to the state including reportedly having sex with people under lockdown. The surge in cases has forced authorities to reimpose stayathome orders on dozens of suburbs and, on Saturday, 3,000 residents of nine densely populated public housing estates were suddenly put under a total lockdown. On Sunday, Victoria recorded its highest daily spike of 127 new cases, including 16 in the nine public housing towers. Coronavirus has infected 2,663 people and killed 22 in Victoria. Across Australia, more than 8,500 people have been infected and 106 have died, according to Johns Hokpins University’s tally.
“It is the smart call, the right call at this time, given the significant challenges we face in containing this virus,” Andrews said of the decision to seal off Victoria. There are 55 ground crossings between Victoria and New South Wales, including four major highways, 33 bridges and two waterways. People who need to cross them, such as those who work in a different state, will be able to apply for permits to do so, Andrews added.
According to a statement released by the NSW government, all travelers returning from Melbourne and the state of Victoria will be required to go into 14 days of selfisolation, or face heavy penalties and fines. It is unclear how this will impact the numerous border communities between the two states, or the constitutionality of the border closure. Section 92 of Australia’s constitution says that “trade, commerce, and intercourse among the states, whether by means of internal carriage or ocean navigation, shall be absolutely free.”
(CNN)