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Victoria will enter stage three lockdown tonight with schools closed and only five reasons to leave home - as a Covid cluster grows to 26 with 11 new cases overnight.
Acting Victorian premier James Merlino has refused to give a straight answer about why Victoria is the only state going into a fourth lockdown when he was grilled by journalists at a press conference on Thursday.
Mr Merlino, who is replacing Daniel Andrews while he recovers from a back injury, was continually asked why Victoria was enduring yet another round of tough restrictions as the rest of the country remains open.
Victoria will enter a stage 3 lockdown from Thursday midnight that will last for seven days with schools closed and only five reasons to leave home - as a Covid cluster containing the highly infectious Indian strain grew to 26.
Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Australia s second most populous state went into lock down last night after authorities reported 12 new cases, bringing the Melbourne outbreak to 26.
Crowds have been banned from sporting events and people ordered to stay home except for work, exercise, shopping for essentials, providing care and getting vaccinated.
Melbourne, the country s sporting capital, has more than a dozen professional teams competing in top flight leagues, and all faced disruption and schedule changes.
Super Rugby team Melbourne Rebels left Victoria for Sydney on Wednesday to avoid travel complications and will play their Trans-Tasman match against the Highlanders there on Sunday.
The Chiefs are now making alternate plans as they re due to host the Rebels next weekend.