Victorians anxiously wait to find out how much longer they will be trapped in their FIFTH lockdown after Dan Andrews confirmed it will be extended
Millions of anxious Victorians will soon find out how much longer they'll be in lockdown for as the state battles a fifth coronavirus outbreak.
The entire state was plunged into a snap five-day lockdown last week after a NSW outbreak of the highly contagious Delta strain crossed the border.
The lockdown was scheduled to end at midnight on Tuesday but will be extended at least another two days after Victoria recorded 16 new cases on Monday.
This is Victoria's fifth lockdown since the pandemic hit Australia's shores this year and the third one so far in 2021.
Almost 16,000 close contacts have been ordered to isolate for 14 days while the growing list of exposure sites has surged past 270, which includes regional venues.
Premier Daniel Andrews will announce more details on Tuesday morning but has already confirmed an extension of the hardline restrictions.
Victorians will be in lockdown for longer than first planned after 16 new cases on Monday. Pictured are Melbournians getting some fresh air
All of Victoria was plunged into lockdown after a NSW outbreak crossed the border. Pictured are health workers at a testing clinic in Melbourne
He says Victoria risked 'a few days of sunshine' for a prolonged lockdown if restrictions were lifted too early.
'There is an ongoing challenge for all of us, but we will not be ready to lift these restrictions at midnight tomorrow night,' the Premier told reporters on Monday.
'To do so, would not be the right thing to do. I know this is not the news people want to hear but we have to do the right thing.'
'It would be perhaps a few days of sunshine and then a very high chance of being back in lockdown again.'
Mr Andrews stopped short of saying for how long the restrictions would be extended, leaving that for an announcement on Tuesday morning.
'This lockdown will be on only for as long as it needs to be, not a moment longer,' he said.
'I do not want to be in a situation where we failed to extinguish this and these chains of transmission, only to open an event, for it to be closed again a short time thereafter. That is not right.'
This is Victoria's fifth lockdown since the pandemic hit Australia's shores this year and the third one so far in 2021
A Melbourne resident made their feelings known of what they think of the lockdown extension
The department of health had announced 12 new cases on Monday morning - before four more cases were confirmed later in the day.
'All four have been tucked away in isolation for 100 per cent of their time. That is a trend we want to see continue,' Mr Andrews said.
The border between Victoria and New South Wales also remains a concern for health authorities as Sydney continues to grapple with its outbreak with 98 new cases on Monday.
'Even this outbreak, as convex and challenging as it is, until it is dealt with and case numbers in Sydney reduce, we have an ongoing challenge in terms of defending that border to the north,' Mr Andrews said.
The state premier said he was confident about plunging the state into lockdown sooner rather than later - like Sydney - claiming the outbreak could have been much worse.
'I'm confident we will face that reality open as opposed to closed which is where Sydney finds itself now and for the foreseeable future,' he said.
'We wish them well. There is no sense of criticism. If they have a problem, the whole country has a problem and that is why I wish them well in their efforts.'
Melbourne residents will now prepare to go into an extended lockdown which was due to end at 11.59pm on Tuesday
The new cases came after 54,839 tests were conducted and 14,758 vaccine doses administered in the last 24 hours.
There are currently 81 active cases across Victoria.
There are 15,800 close contacts in Victoria with thousands connected to major exposure sites across the state.
More than 3,000 are linked to the MCG, 1,800 to AAMI Park stadium, 2,300 to Trinity Grammar and 2,700 to Bacchus Marsh Grammar.
'There's still many tests to be taken, many tests that are in the labs, and we won't get the results of those today and probably into tomorrow,' Mr Andrews said.
All the new cases recorded in Victoria are linked to the current outbreaks of the Delta variant in the state, which originated in NSW.
A store keeper wearing a mask hands over an order in the deli section of the Queen Victoria Market
Victoria's exposure sites list swells
Tier 1 - Anyone who has visited the following locations during the listed times must get tested immediately and quarantine for 14 days from the exposure:
AAMI Park: Gate Seven, Tuesday July 13, from 7.56pm to 8.13pm
Yarra tram route 109: Charles Street and Cotham Road Stop 35 to Burke Road and Whitehorse Road Stop 42, Wednesday July 14, from 3.25pm to 3.55pm
Yarra tram route 109: Burke Road & Whitehorse Road Stop 42 to Kew Junction & High Street Stop 32, Wednesday July 14, from 5.25pm to 5.55pm
Yarra tram route 72: Cotham Road & Whitehorse Road Stop 70 to Camberwell Station & Burke Road Stop 64, Wednesday July 14, 3.45pm to 5.15pm
Yarra tram route 72: Camberwell Station & Burke Road Stop 64 to Cotham Road & Whitehorse Road Stop 70, Wednesday July 14, from 5.21pm to 5.31pm
Yarra tram route 48: Batman's Hill D15 to Burnley Street & Bridge Street Stop 21, Wednesday July 14, from 6.04pm to 6.33pm
Yarra tram route 75: Burnley Street & Bridge Road Stop to Central Pier & Harbour Esplanade D4, Thursday July 15, from 8.03 to 8.32am
Broadmeadows: Olsen Place Pharmacy, Thursday July 15 from 3:25pm to 4:15pm
Kew: Skinny Dog Hotel, Wednesday July 14 from 6:05pm to 7:35pm
Kew: Augustus Gelato, Wednesday July 14 from 7:10pm 7:55pm
Camberwell: Chargrill Charlie's, Wednesday July 14 4:10pm to 5:10pm
Clayton: Home Make It, Thursday July 15 from 4:04pm to 4:29pm
Cowes: Liquorland, Monday July 12 from 5pm to 5:30pm
Cowes: Salvos, Tuesday July 13 from 10:35am to 10:55am
Cremorne: Gaochi King Restaurant, Tuesday July 13 from 8:30pm to 9:10pm
Tottenham: Rocke Brothers Pty Ltd - Transportation, Wednesday July 14 from 5:20am to 5:30pm
Tottenham: Rocke Brothers Pty Ltd - Transportation, Tuesday July 13 from 5:20am to 5:30pm
Cowes: Cowes Shopping Centre Public Toilets, Wednesday July 14 from 10:40am to 11:20am
Dallas: Foodworks, Friday July 16 from 11:45am to 1pm
Dallas: Freshplus, Friday July 16 from 1pm to 1:50pm
Albert Park: Basketball Hall, Melbourne Sports and Acquatic Centre , Thursday July 25 from 9:15pm to 10:40pm
Melbourne: The Crafty Squire, Monday July 12 from 3am to 8:15am
Footscray: Jesus is the Way Christian Church, Wednesday July 14 from 7:30pm to 9:30pm
Cowes: U-Neek Souvenirs Stores, Tuesday July 13 from 11:05am to 11:30am
Malvern East: McDonalds Homesglen, Wednesday July 14 from 10:35pm to 11pm
Kew: Frank & Harri, Tuesday July 13 from 10am to 11:30am
Kew: Frank & Harri, Wednesday July 14 from 10am to 11:30am
Melbourne: Construction Site - Bourke Street entrance, lobby, and lantern area, Thursday July 15 from 8:50am to 10am
Altona: Altona Sports Centre, Tuesday July 13 from 8pm to 10pm
Cowes: Subway, Wednesday July 14 from 12:20pm to 12:45pm
Cowes: Woolworths, Wednesday July 14 from 12:28pm to 12:45pm
Cowes: Aldi, Tuesday July 13 from 6:55pm to 7:25pm
Cowes: Xpress Gourmet Pizza and Pasta, Tuesday July 13 from 7:10pm to 7:25pm
Cowes: Xpress Gourmet Pizza and Pasta, Tuesday July 13 from 6:50pm to 7:05pm
Cowes: Youki's Japenese Restaurant, Tuesday July 13 from 12:55pm to 1:20pm
Cowes: One Stop Discount Shop, Tuesday July 13 from 10:50am to 11:15am
Cowes: Woolworths, Tuesday July 13 from 10L40am to 11:05am
Cowes: Vinnies, Tuesday July 13, 9am to 9:20am
Cremorne: Ms Frankie, Thursday July 15 from 4pm to 10:30pm
Cremorne: Ms Frankie, Thursday July 15 from 12:30pm to 11:59pm
Collins Square Ground Floor Foyer (Tower 4) - Wednesday July 14, 9:00am to 9:05am
End of Trip Facility in Collins Square (Car Park 1), Thursday July 15, 8:50am to 9:30am
End of Trip Facility in Collins Square (Car Park 1), Tuesday July 13, 7:55am to 8:30am
Collins Square (Level 19, Tower 4), Thursday July 15, 10:50am to 3:15pm
Collins Square (Level 19, Tower 4), Wednesday July 14, 9:00am to 6:30pm
Collins Square (Level 19, Tower 4), Tuesday July 13, 8:15am to 5:30pm
Bentleigh East: Valkstone Primary School basketball stadium - Wednesday, July 14, 4.45pm-6.30pm
Phillip Island: Cowes North Pier Hotel - Monday, July 12, 7.22pm-10.47pm
Phillip Island: Grand Prix Circuit, Ventor - Tuesday, July 13, 11.10am-1.17pm
Phillip Island: Coles supermarket, Cowes - Monday, July 12, 4.30pm-5.30pm
Richmond: F45 Cremorne Street - Wednesday, July 14, 6.50am-8.05am, Thursday July 15, 6.35am-8.05am
Frankston: Village Cinemas showing of the movie Black Widow - Monday, July 12, 6pm-8.30pm
Point Cook: Sanctuary Lakes Charcoal Chicken & Salad Bar - Wednesday, July 14, 12:46pm - 1:20pm
Richmond: Percy Beames Bar, Members' Reserve (Level 2) - Melbourne Cricket Ground - Saturday July 10, 4:00pm - 4:30pm and 5:20pm - 5:50pm
Sunshine: Helping Hands Mission Inc Sunshine Op Shop - Monday, July 12, 10:30am - 11:30am
Niddrie: Vinnies Niddrie - Monday July 12, 11:30am - 12:30pm
Moonee Ponds: Hero Sushi - Monday July 12, 2:30pm - 3:15pm
Maidstone: Chemist Warehouse - Monday July 12, 5:10pm - 5:50pm
Bundoora: Dr Suguna Vimalanathan Dental Surgery - Tuesday July 13, 12:30pm - 1:03pm and 2:00pm - 3:30pm
Bundoora: Salvos Stores Bundoora - Tuesday July 13, 11:45am - 1:00pm
Moonee Ponds: Australian Red Cross Moonee Ponds Op Shop - Monday, July 12, 12:30pm - 1:15pm
Carnegie: Spotlight - Tuesday July 13, 4:20pm - 5:00pm
Tier 2 - Anyone who has visited the following locations during the listed times should urgently get tested, then isolate until confirmation of a negative result. Continue to monitor for symptoms, get tested again if symptoms appear:
AAMI Park: Men's bathroom between aisles 21 and 23, Tuesday July 13, between 8.45pm to 9.15pm.
Yarra tram route 11 or 48: Batman's Hill D15 to William Street & Collins Street Stop 3, Thursday July 15, from 8.20am to 8.50am
Yarra tram route 11 or 48: William Street & Collins Street Stop 3 to Batman's Hill D15, Thursday July 15, from 10.30am to 11am
Yarra tram route 75: Burnley Street & Bridge Street Stop 21 to The Goods Shed & McCrae Street D5, Wednesday July 14, from 8.15am to 9.15am
Metro Trains- Glen Waverley Line, Richmond Station to Holmesglen Station - Wednesday July 14, 10:13pm - 10:34pm
Metro Trains- Glen Waverley Line, Richmond Station to Holmesglen Station - Wednesday July 14, 3:26pm - 3:48pm
Waurn Ponds: Deakin University buildings IB and IC - Wednesday July 14, 10am-2pm
Waurn Ponds: Deakin University market hall cafeteria, building JB - Wednesday July 14, 12pm-1pm
Phillip Island: Phillip Island Bakery, Cowes - Tuesday, July 13, 1pm-1.45pm
Phillip Island: Phillip Island Coffee Co, Cowes - Wednesday, July 14, 9.10am-9.50am
Phillip Island: Phillip Island Nature Parks, The Nobbies, Summerlands - Monday, July 12, 3.35pm-4.20pm; Tuesday, July 13, 4.37pm-5.10pm
Phillip Island: Phillip Island Chocolate Factory - Tuesday, July 13, 2.57pm-3.55pm
Phillip Island: G'Day Tiger, Cowes - Tuesday July 13, 9.16am-10.24am
Phillip Island: A Maze N Things Theme Park, Cowes - Wednesday, July 14, 3.24pm-4.05pm
Phillip Island: Jolly Lolly Trolley, Cowes - Wednesday, July 14, 3.24pm-4.05pm
Williamstown: Coles - Tuesday July 13, 5:20pm - 5:55pm
Richmond: MCC Members' Reserve (all other staff and ticketholders, all levels), Carlton v Geelong game - Saturday July 10, 4:00pm - 8:00pm
Richmond: Coles - Monday July 12, 12:30pm - 1:05pm
Richmond: Soul Origin - Monday July 12, 12:35pm - 1:10pm
Richmond: Victoria Gardens Shopping Centre - Basement level car park (Purple Zone) - Monday July 12, 8:50am - 9:30am and 4:30pm - 5:10pm
Avondale Heights: Coles - Monday July 12, 8:00am - 9:15am
Chadstone: ZiNG Pop Culture - Monday July 12, 5:25pm - 6:00pm
Chadstone: Target - Monday July 12, 5:25pm - 6:00pm
Chadstone: Kmart - Monday July 12, 5:25pm - 6:00pm
Carnegie: Carnegie Central - Tuesday July 13, 4:20pm - 5:20pm