Australia’s coronavirus hot spot, Victoria, on Monday recorded its lowest number of new infections in more than three months as the nation’s second-largest city, Melbourne, further eased its lockdown restrictions.
The easing of restrictions in Melbourne, will allow most children to return to school from mid-October and send more than 125,000 people back to work.
Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews told reporters that his state was “so close to being able to take a really big step … towards that COVID-normal,” after only five new cases were recorded in the latest 24-hour period, the lowest number since June 12.
“We are so, so close, and what’s important now is that everyone keeps following the rules, keeps doing the right thing, keeps making that profound and critical contribution to these numbers getting low and staying low,” Andrews said.
The state also recorded three deaths on Monday, Andrews said.
Melbourne and surrounding parts of rural Victoria were placed under strict lockdown measures on Aug. 2, shuttering schools and non-essential businesses, imposing a nighttime curfew and prohibiting public gatherings.
The 9 p.m.- 5.a.m curfew was lifted from Monday, although residents still cannot travel more than 5 kilometers (3 miles) from home.
Public gatherings of up to five people from a maximum of two households will be allowed, and daycare centers for children will also reopen.
(AP)
