Australia’s Victoria state authorities stated plans to ease COVID-19 restrictions within the state capital, Melbourne, this week remained “on track” as new locally acquired coronavirus cases declined on Tuesday.
Victoria, Australia’s second-most-populous state, was plunged into a one-week lockdown on May 27 to contain a virus outbreak, forcing its 7 million residents to remain home except for essential business.
The lockdown was extended in Melbourne till June 10, whereas some restrictions have been relaxed in different areas within the state.
Two new regionally acquired cases, both linked to existing clusters, were reported on Tuesday, down from 11 a day earlier.
“Whereas we never want to see new cases, it’s reassuring that we’re again seeing these cases with clear links to existing outbreaks,” Victoria state Acting Premier James Merlino instructed reporters in Melbourne.
Merlino stated contact tracers have linked the source of the highly infectious Delta virus variant to an abroad traveler who entered hotel quarantine in Melbourne on May 8.
But officials stated that it was still unclear how the Delta variant was transmitted into the community and that further tests would be needed.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison stated he would like to see the COVID-19 lockdown in Melbourne lifted as early as possible and urged authorities to balance risks when they decide to shut down large parts of the economy.
“Further restrictions around the country should either not occur at all, or for a very, very narrow set of circumstances,” Morrison instructed reporters in Sydney.
Australia has reported zero native instances for most days this yr, encouraging authorities to ease restrictions helping the nation’s A$2 trillion ($1.55 trillion) economy rebound sharply to above pre-pandemic levels.
