Victorian authorities mull NZstyle lockdown

VICTORIA’S coronavirus outbreak is expected to stunt Australia’s economic recovery as the death toll rises and tougher restrictions loom.

The state recorded 627 new cases and eight more deaths yesterday, taking the national toll to 197, amid concern stayathome orders in place for the past three weeks across greater Melbourne and the Mitchell Shire are not doing enough.

Premier Daniel Andrews has been in crisis talks with Prime Minister Scott Morrison about the next steps in stopping the deadly spread.

Andrews said there would be a significant hit for business and workers, which might need more government support.

‘‘There is a complete acknowledgement that there can be no economic recovery until we deal with this public health challenge,’’ he told reporters yesterday.

‘‘It’s almost impossible for us to see businesses recover and survive unless and until we get these numbers down.’’

Treasury figures predicting the outbreak would cost the national economy $3.3 billion ($NZ3.55 billion) were based on the lockdown ending on August 19. However, the restrictions are expected to last longer and could be harsher as medical experts mull measures similar to those New Zealand used to squash the virus.

‘‘The best advice may well come to me that we need to take further steps, that the steps we’ve taken are not enough to pull this up,’’ Andrews said.

The state’s chief health officer Brett Sutton confirmed a New Zealandstyle lockdown was being explored.

Alarmingly, more than 130 of 500 people with coronavirus visited by the Australian Defence Force and health authorities on Thursday were not at home. They have been referred to police. — AAP

❛ The best advice may well come to me that we need to take further

steps