Coronavirus: Melbourne lock-down to keep a million workers at home

Ns News Online Desk: Melbourne is shutting down shops, factories and other non-essential businesses as authorities fight a second wave of coronavirus. Other measures include a night-time curfew for the city’s five million residents, after an earlier lock-down failed to contain the virus.

About one million workers will soon be staying at home in the Australian city. A payment for people instructed to isolate for 14 days who have run out of sick leave will also be introduced.

The A$1,500 ($1,070; £815) is mainly aimed at those who cannot access other benefits, and can be applied for more than once, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said.

Authorities hope the new restrictions will reduce transmission of the coronavirus. Until recently, Australia had had more success than many other countries in tackling Covid-19, but an outbreak in Victoria’s state capital has pushed the nation to its worst point yet.

More than half of the nation’s total 18,300 cases have been recorded in just the last month in Victoria. There have been 215 deaths.
Melburnians endured their first night of curfew – which will run from 20:00 to 05:00 for six weeks – on Sunday. The only valid reasons for leaving home during these hours are work, medical care or care-giving.