The Australian city of Melbourne returns to locking phase 3 for six weeks as it struggles with a spike in coronavirus cases, Prime Minister of the State of Victoria Daniel Andrews announced today.
The lockout will begin at 11:59 p.m. local time on Wednesday.
People will only be allowed to leave their homes to buy food, go to work, receive or care, and exercise, said Andrews.
Elsewhere in Victoria, the Mitchell Shire area will also be locked out for six weeks.
Businesses such as restaurants that have reopened will now be forced to close again, said the Prime Minister.
"We know we are about to go through something very very bad if we don't get out of it," said Andrews. "The alternative is to pretend it's over, just like I think some Victorians have done."
Residential towers: As of Saturday, 3,000 residents of nine social housing towers in Melbourne have been subject to "strict foreclosure," which means they can't leave at all. All residents are currently being tested, with meals and other necessities being provided by the government.
Melbourne is subject to stage 3 lockout - restrictions more flexible than a "hard lockout" - tower residents will be allowed to go out again for essential activities.
Earlier today, the Victoria Department of Health announced that it had registered 191 new cases on Monday - the highest daily jump to date.