Victoria records THREE new coronavirus cases as its outbreak grows hours after millions were released from lockdown
Victoria has recorded three new coronavirus cases just hours after millions of people were released from a gruelling five-day snap lockdown.
The new cases are linked to the Holiday Inn quarantine hotel outbreak at Melbourne Airport.
All three new cases have been in quarantine at home.
The fresh figures take state’s number of active cases to 27 after 21,292 tests were processed on Thursday.
There were no new cases in hotel quarantine.
State chief health officer Brett Sutton said everyone who tested positive is in isolation.
‘This isn’t over yet – all known contacts of cases or exposure sites need to stay in quarantine for the full 14 days to wrap this up,’ Professor Sutton said via Twitter.
Health Minister Martin Foley said ‘we shouldn’t rule out’ new cases as there were thousands of close contacts linked to the quarantine hotel bungle.
Victoria recorded no locally-acquired infections on Wednesday as residents were freed from a brutal Stage Four lockdown.
The stay-at-home order, only allowing people to leave home for essential work, shopping, care and exercise, was repealed along with the 5km travel rule.
Face masks are still mandatory indoor and outdoors if social distancing cannot be followed, and Victorians will only be allowed to have five guests in their houses.
Shops, bars, pubs and restaurants can also reopen on Thursday and 20 people can gather outside.
Premier Daniel Andrews said on Wednesday he was able to lift the ‘short, sharp circuit breaker’ lockdown thanks to the low infection numbers – but some rules must stay.
‘[The lockdown was] exactly what we said we needed, that’s exactly what we said would work,’ he said.
‘I am very proud of every single Victorian for the work they have done.’
Schools also reopened on Thursday after shutting down for three days, while visits to hospitals and care facilities are limited to one household with a per day.
More to come
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