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Victoria declares state of disaster after spike in coronavirus

THE Australian state of Victoria declared a state of disaster today, imposing a night-time curfew in Melbourne as part of new lockdown measures after a spike in new coronavirus cases.

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews announced the restrictions, which came into effect at 6pm yesterday, and said they will remain in place until at least September 13.

“We must do more. We must go harder. It’s the only way we’ll get to the other side of this,” he told the media.

Australia’s second-most-populous state, it reported 671 new coronavirus cases and seven deaths today, bringing totals to 11,557 infections and 123 deaths.

The lockdown will mean residents of Melbourne must stay at home between 8pm and 5am and are allowed to travel only for medical care or work.

Victoria strengthened its lockdown measures in July after a rise in cases, but the new restrictions come amid fears of a second wave in countries including Spain, Iran, Japan and Germany.

Worldwide, more than 18 million people have tested positive for Covid-19 with nearly 700,000 deaths — about 6 per cent of those contracting the virus.

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