Australia: State of Victoria declares state of disaster after spike in cases

Victoria declares state of disaster to curb virus A night-time curfew is in force in Melbourne, following a spike in cases in the Australian state. BBC News

The Australian state of Victoria has declared a state of disaster and imposed new lockdown measures after a surge in coronavirus infections.

Under the new rules, which came into effect at 18:00 (08:00 GMT), residents of the state capital Melbourne are subject to a night-time curfew.

There will be further restrictions on residents' ability to leave home.

Australia has been more successful than many other countries in tackling Covid-19, but cases are rising in Victoria.

The state - Australia's second most populous state - now accounts for many of the country's new infections in recent weeks, prompting the return of lockdown restrictions in early July.

But on Sunday Premier Daniel Andrews said the measures were working but too slowly. "We must go harder. It's the only way we'll get to the other side of this," he told reporters.

The new rules will remain in place until at least 13 September, Mr Andrews added....

Initially officials felt optimistic about containing Covid-19, with lockdowns and mandatory quarantines for people entering the country.

For months, most cases were coming from travellers returning from overseas, but the spike in Melbourne has proved to be a major setback.

Local transmissions have become a key source of infections, putting authorities on the back foot....

Health experts say the relaxation of rules, complacency on social distancing and sheer bad luck have all contributed to Victoria's rise in cases. ...