The Australian state of Victoria recorded 134 new cases of coronavirus on Tuesday, bringing the total number of infections in the state to 2,942, Prime Minister Daniel Andrews announced on Wednesday.
Of the new cases, 123 are under investigation while 11 were linked to contained outbreaks.
A total of 75 people in the nine towers of social housing in the city of Melbourne have tested positive, said Andrews, adding that more than a million tests have been done in the state since January 1.
Melbourne and Mitchell Shire, a regional region of Victoria, will enter into phase 3 lockout from 11.59 p.m., which means that residents will no longer be allowed to leave their homes, except for groceries, care , exercise or work, for six weeks. , the Prime Minister announced on Tuesday.
"I think a sense of complacency has crept in as we let our frustrations outweigh us. I think everyone knows someone who hasn't followed the rules as well as he should have "I think everyone of us knows that we have no choice but to take very, very difficult actions," said Andrews.
In a statement released on Wednesday, the state government said police in Victoria would "dramatically" increase the police presence in and around the metropolitan area of Melbourne to impose the foreclosure, including 264 members of the Australian Defense Forces participating in the field operations.
Police will continue to make house calls and patrol public places in Victoria, the statement said.
Victoria police have conducted 810 spot checks in the past 24 hours on homes, businesses and non-essential government services, the government said.
