Prognosis
Australian Open Proceeds Even as Melbourne Enters Snap Lockdown
- Statewide five-day lockdown starts at midnight to tackle virus
- Outbreak from quarantine hotel sees state’s cases rise to 19
The renewed restrictions are a blow to the state, whose capital city Melbourne endured one of the longest and harshest lockdowns in the world last year after the virus escaped from hotel quarantine.
Photographer: Luis Ascui/Getty Images AsiaPacThis article is for subscribers only.
The Australian Open Grand Slam tennis tournament in Melbourne will continue without spectators even as the nation’s second-most populous city enters a snap five-day lockdown from midnight to contain an outbreak of the virulent U.K. strain of the coronavirus.
Victoria Premier Daniel Andrews said the state’s 6.5 million residents must stay home except for essential shopping, care, exercise and work as authorities battle to contain the outbreak which has spread from a quarantine hotel and seen cases in the state grow to 19.