Melbourne Lockdown Returns, Australian Open Without Spectators

Illustration of an atmosphere of lockdown due to COVID-19 in Australia. (Kate Trifo / Unsplash)

JAKARTA - The authorities of Melbourne, the capital of the State of Victoria, announced a five-day lockdown following the discovery of a new case of COVID-19 infection on Thursday night. This announcement was made on Friday local time.

Authorities said 13 new cases of COVID-19 were found in the hotel quarantine imposed by Melbourne. The infection this time is said to include a British variant which is highly contagious.

Victorian Prime Minister Daniel Andrews announced a lockdown for the state, starting at midnight on Friday, banning public gatherings, house auctions, weddings and religious gatherings.

"We have to assume that there are more cases in society than we have positive results for. And it is moving at a speed not seen anywhere in our country in the past 12 months, "Andrews told reporters.

Asked about the Australian Open, which runs until February 21, Andrews said the activity was considered a workplace, subject to lockdown restrictions.

“No fans. No crowds. These people are basically at their place of work. The minimum number of staff so that it can be run safely, not only because of the virus but for other reasons, "he explained.

Previously, attendance at the Australian Open, one of the most prestigious Grand Slam events in tennis, had been limited to 50 percent of its normal capacity.

Victoria endured one of the world's tightest and longest lockdowns last year following the outbreak, which left more than 800 people dead in the state, most of the national toll.

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison, previously offered full support to the Victorian government, to tackle this outbreak.

“We have handled (the outbreak) in the last few weeks in Sydney and Brisbane and Perth, and the response is proportionate. "Allow the tracker to be able to overcome it and get the same successful results as we have seen in states," Morrison told reporters.