The brutal five day long lockdown of the entire state of Victoria could continue for up to two weeks thanks to a sneaky detail in health directive legal papers.
To bring a lockdown into force, shutting all non-essential businesses and forcing millions to stay within 5km of their homes, a state s chief health officer must sign a legal document.
These directives then give powers to the police as well as to health officials, including the ability to issue fines and force people to isolate.
The entire state was plunged into lockdown from 11.59pm on Friday in response to an outbreak at Melbourne Airport s Holiday Inn, which has grown to 14 cases.
Tasmania declares whole of Victoria high-risk COVID-19 area
Posted
FriFriday 12
updated
FriFriday 12
The new travel restrictions were announced by Premier Petr Gutwein.
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Tasmania has declared the entire state of Victoria as high-risk as of midnight on Friday.
All travellers from Victoria to Tasmania will have to self-isolate for 14 days, at their home or in hotel quarantine. I would hope that this is a temporary measure. We will be cognisant of what occurs in Victoria over the next five days, Tasmanian Premier Peter Gutwein said.
Mr Gutwein said there was new advice for people who had been to Melbourne s Tullamarine Airport after a worker at the Brunetti cafe tested positive to coronavirus.
An UberX fare from St Kilda to Melbourne Airport normally costs around $60
The fare almost doubled to $114.90 right after new lockdown was announced
A trip from Albert Park to Collingwood more than doubled to $50.89 on Friday
Melburnians were likely trying to escape ahead of lockdown, forcing up prices
There were also chaotic scenes of panic buying in supermarkets in Melbourne
Victoria could be headed for a third lockdown with health authorities in pandemonium fearing they have lost control of a third wave of Covid-19.
Premier Daniel Andrews held heated crisis talks with health chiefs on Thursday night after five new infections were linked to the Holiday Inn Melbourne Airport cluster, bringing the outbreak to 13 cases.
State government advisers were instructed to draw up plans for a third lockdown as early as Friday evening which would spell an end to crowds at the Australian Open.
Victoria is on the brink of a third lockdown. Pictured: Tennis fans enjoy Day four of the Australian Open, which would have crowds banned if lockdown occurred
Victorian health officials early on Friday morning said customers and staff at Terminal 4 s Brunetti cafe may have been at risk at any time between 4.45am and 1.15pm on February 9.