Invest
Victoria to enter 7-day hard lockdown at midnight tonight
Victoria is entering another lockdown from 11.59pm tonight, which will see businesses, including restaurants and cafes, shut their doors for another seven days, as an extremely infectious strain of COVID spreads throughout the state.
Victoria to enter 7-day hard lockdown at midnight tonight
Victoria is entering another lockdown from 11.59pm tonight, which will see businesses, including restaurants and cafes, shut their doors for another seven days, as an extremely infectious strain of COVID spreads throughout the state.
Victoria will enter a seven-day circuit breaker lockdown from 11.59pm tonight, until 11.59pm on 3 June, meaning businesses will once again shut their doors to curb the state’s growing outbreak.
Victorians will be given five reasons to leave home, including authorised work, caregiving, compassionate and medical reasons, essential shopping and exercise, and for vaccination purposes.
In news said to shock the hospitality industry, all hospitality venues will have to lock their doors at midnight tonight, but will be permitted to provide takeaway, while non-essential retail will only be open for click and collect.
Shops like supermarkets, food stores, bottle shops, banks, petrol stations and pharmacies will also remain open.
But the news is bad for gyms, hairdressers, community facilities and entertainment venues, which have all been ordered to close.
Hotels and accommodation can only stay open to support guests already staying onsite. No new bookings can be made – unless it’s for one a permitted purpose, like authorised work.
Schools, too, will close, other than for children of essential workers, with childcare set to remain open.
The acting Premier also announced that the ‘five kilometres’ rule is back and masks are mandatory outdoors and indoors once again.
"It’s clear – more than ever – this virus isn’t going away. And vaccines are the only way we’ll ever get back to normal," Mr Merlino said.
"Without full vaccination, this virus will just keep mutating – and just keep making its way back in."
Prior to James Merlino’s media conference, Melbourne’s Lord Mayor warned that another lockdown will have a big impact on businesses.
“Businesses have gone through the toughest tradition conditions in living memory and many are just starting to recover,” Sally Capp tweeted on Thursday morning.
“JobKeeper has ended, so a lockdown now will have potentially even greater impacts on our city businesses.”
The Premier has, however, hinted new financial support may soon be announced for businesses.
RELATED ARTICLES
About the author
About the author
Economy
Australian and Korean leaders meet to unlock billions in new trade opportunities
In a significant effort to bolster economic ties and explore new avenues for investment, Australian and Korean leaders, alongside business executives and government officials, are gathering in Seoul ...Read more
Economy
Australia’s growth beat is real — but it’s the wrong kind for capacity
Australia’s economy outpaced forecasts in the June quarter as households opened wallets and government spending did the heavy lifting, even as public investment sagged. The signal for boardrooms: ...Read more
Economy
Australia’s growth is back—but it’s the wrong kind of strong
GDP surprised on the upside in the June quarter, powered by households and government outlays even as public investment slumped. The Reserve Bank stayed hawkish, signalling that sticky services ...Read more
Economy
Australia's Economic Resilience: Strong GDP growth challenges RBA's policy stance
In a surprising turn of events, Australia's economy has shown greater resilience than anticipated, with the latest Q2 GDP report revealing a stronger performance largely driven by vigorous household ...Read more
Economy
Economist calls for July RBA rate cut following inflation data
An economist from State Street Global Advisors has called for the Reserve Bank of Australia to cut interest rates in July following today's Consumer Price Index data for June. Read more
Economy
GDP data prompts economist to predict faster RBA rate cuts
Australia's latest GDP growth data has come in significantly below expectations, prompting an economist to suggest the Reserve Bank may need to ease monetary policy more aggressively. Read more
Economy
Global markets face turbulent start amid tariff concerns, but outlook remains cautious
Global equity and bond markets have experienced a turbulent start to 2025, primarily due to concerns that a potential tariff-driven trade war could heighten inflation and recession risks. Read more
Economy
RBA may cut rates faster if GDP data disappoints, economists say
The Reserve Bank of Australia may cut interest rates more quickly if next week's GDP data disappoints, economists said following today's consumer price index data for May. Read more
Economy
Australian and Korean leaders meet to unlock billions in new trade opportunities
In a significant effort to bolster economic ties and explore new avenues for investment, Australian and Korean leaders, alongside business executives and government officials, are gathering in Seoul ...Read more
Economy
Australia’s growth beat is real — but it’s the wrong kind for capacity
Australia’s economy outpaced forecasts in the June quarter as households opened wallets and government spending did the heavy lifting, even as public investment sagged. The signal for boardrooms: ...Read more
Economy
Australia’s growth is back—but it’s the wrong kind of strong
GDP surprised on the upside in the June quarter, powered by households and government outlays even as public investment slumped. The Reserve Bank stayed hawkish, signalling that sticky services ...Read more
Economy
Australia's Economic Resilience: Strong GDP growth challenges RBA's policy stance
In a surprising turn of events, Australia's economy has shown greater resilience than anticipated, with the latest Q2 GDP report revealing a stronger performance largely driven by vigorous household ...Read more
Economy
Economist calls for July RBA rate cut following inflation data
An economist from State Street Global Advisors has called for the Reserve Bank of Australia to cut interest rates in July following today's Consumer Price Index data for June. Read more
Economy
GDP data prompts economist to predict faster RBA rate cuts
Australia's latest GDP growth data has come in significantly below expectations, prompting an economist to suggest the Reserve Bank may need to ease monetary policy more aggressively. Read more
Economy
Global markets face turbulent start amid tariff concerns, but outlook remains cautious
Global equity and bond markets have experienced a turbulent start to 2025, primarily due to concerns that a potential tariff-driven trade war could heighten inflation and recession risks. Read more
Economy
RBA may cut rates faster if GDP data disappoints, economists say
The Reserve Bank of Australia may cut interest rates more quickly if next week's GDP data disappoints, economists said following today's consumer price index data for May. Read more
