Life in the World’s Most Locked Down City

Surviving six lockdowns

A heavy Victoria Police presence as anti-lockdown protesters take to the streets in Melbourne.

Photographer: Diego Fedele/Getty Images AsiaPac

Here’s the latest news from the global pandemic.

Living in Melbourne, I’ve been thinking a lot about hugs lately. Australia’s second-largest city is currently in its sixth lockdown since the start of the pandemic, which coupled with other stay-at-home orders has given the country the dubious honor of seeing more lockdowns than anywhere other than China. The last time I got a real hug was from my dad back in April. That was right before Lockdown 4.