Coronavirus: Victoria records four new local COVID-19 cases

There are four new cases in the state.
There are four new cases in the state. Photo credit: Getty Images.

The Victoria Department of Health says there are four new locally acquired cases of COVID-19 in the Australian state.

That takes the count to 30 cases connected to the current outbreak, which has forced the state into a seven-day 'circuit breaker' lockdown which began at midnight on Thursday night. New Zealand has paused its travel bubble with Victoria in response to the cluster.

According to the Department of Health, in the 24 hours to midnight, there were 47,462 test results received, which the ABC reports is a daily record.

There were also two new cases acquired in overseas travellers in hotel quarantine.

Under the state's lockdown, Victorians aren't allowed to visit others, can't hold public gatherings, aren't allowed into restaurants and can only access essential retail services. 

New Zealand's quarantine-free travel bubble with Victoria was initially paused on Tuesday night for 72 hours and extended for a further seven days on Thursday night in light of the lockdown and 12 new cases.

"We have been monitoring Melbourne very closely and we have made the decision based on the recent decision by Melbourne to do a lockdown,"COVID-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins said.

The New Zealand Government is also putting in place further requirements, including that anyone who has been to one of the locations of interest in Victoria cannot travel to New Zealand for 14 days after their visit.

"We are considering whether further restrictions should be put in place. That includes things like pre-departure testing and whether that should apply, and if so to whom. We will be making decisions on that in the next 24 hours."

New Zealand's Ministry of Health also updated its advice for those who have been in Melbourne recently.

Everyone who has returned to New Zealand from Melbourne since May 11 has been contacted by health officials and provided advice on checking locations of interest and the actions required.

Director-General of Health Dr Ashley Bloomfield is now requiring everyone in New Zealand who has visited the Greater Melbourne area since May 20 to isolate at their place of residence until they receive a negative COVID-19 test result. 

Here is an outline of what the seven-day lockdown will look like for Victorians:

  • no visitors will be allowed in the home other than an intimate partner. Single bubbles will be permitted. People who live alone can make a bubble with another person
  • no public gatherings will be permitted
  • restaurants, pubs and cafes can provide takeaway only
  • essential retail - supermarkets, food stores, petrol stations, banks, bottle shops and pharmacies, retail stores - can provide a click-and-collect service
  • childcare and kindergartens will be open
  • approved professional sporting events will proceed but without crowds
  • schools will shift back to remote learning, except for vulnerable children, and children of authorised workers
  • higher education will move to remote learning only
  • community support and recreation will not be permitted but there will be some exemptions
  • hotels, clubs, TABs and the casino will be closed, as well as indoor and outdoor entertainment venues, swimming pools, spas, saunas, community venues, amusements parks and arcades, creative studios, art galleries and museums
  • no visitors will be permitted at aged-care facilities except for limited reasons
  • hospital visitors will only be permitted for end of life, to support a partner during birth, or a parent accompanying a child
  • ceremonies and funerals can have a maximum of 10 people plus those running the service
  • weddings cannot proceed unless end of life or deportation reasons apply
  • religious activities will not proceed other than through broadcast with a maximum of five people.