MELBOURNE (REUTERS) – Australia’s second most populous state announced on Saturday (June 20) it will reinstate tighter restrictions on home and public gatherings after logging a double-digit rise in coronavirus cases for a fourth straight day.
Victoria state Premier Daniel Andrews chastised people for ignoring guidelines on social contact by engaging in behaviour such as kissing and hugging as he reimposed a limit of five people visiting households and 10 people at public gatherings.
The restrictions, which come into force on Monday and will last until July 12, reverse a relaxation of the rules at the start of this month that had allowed for home and outdoor gatherings of up to 20 people.
“It is unacceptable that families anywhere in our state just because they want this to be over pretend that it is. It is not over,” Mr Andrews said at a televised media conference, noting a rise in family transmissions since April.
State officials reported 25 new Covid-19 cases on Saturday, including families who had held gatherings and workers at a hotel where travellers had been quarantined.
Victoria is responsible for around a quarter of Australia’s total reported 7,400 cases but is driving a recent uptick in active cases.
