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.
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.
Five million Melbourne residents are bracing for lockdown once again as a Covid-19 cluster grows to 13, with five new cases reported on Friday.
Victorian ministers held a cabinet meeting at 11.45am to discuss a five-day lockdown that could involve confining residents to their homes except for essential reasons and closing schools and businesses.
The restrictions are expected to come into play on Friday evening after Premier Daniel Andrews gives a press conference at 1pm.
A city-wide lockdown could see fans banned from the Australian Open with Serena Williams, Novak Djokovic and Aussie superstar Nick Kyrgios due to play on Friday.