77 new cases of coronavirus recorded across four days in Victoria has seen the state’s government return to stricter COVID-19 lockdown measures, in an attempt to combat a second wave.

As other states continue to relax social distancing and isolation measures, the Victorian Government has been forced to do an about turn, announcing on Sunday, 21st June that its state of emergency would be extended for at least another four weeks.

There were 19 new cases announced by Vic Health Minister Jenny Mikakos on Sunday, who called it “still a very serious situation”. There are now 121 active cases of coronavirus in the state, the highest total in two months.

Mikakos said that the level of police enforcement in “hotspots” around the state would also be ramped up. One such cluster of 11 cases has affected members of nine households, all linked back to one family in Keilor Downs.

From midnight tonight, the number of people Victorians are allowed to invite into their homes well drop to five, while out-of-home gatherings will be restricted to groups of 10.

“We have had particularly some concerns around family gatherings, extended family members across many households, visiting each other even when they have been exhibiting mild symptoms,” said Minister Mikakos.

Pubs, cafes and restaurants were set to increase their capacity from 20 people to 50, but that measure has been put on hold. Gyms, cinemas, indoor sports centres and concert venues will still open for the first time on Monday, but also with a limit of 20 people.

South Australia has already decided to delay opening its border to Victoria. “We will not open our borders to Victoria unless it is safe to do so,” said SA Health Minister Stephen Wade. “Our number one priority is the health of South Australians.”

In better news, Australia’s Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Nick Coatsworth, revealed that there is no evidence to suggest that any of the new cases are linked to the Black Lives Matter protest in Melbourne a fortnight ago.

“It is a timely reminder that in a population that is non-immune to the virus, to COVID-19, that we will get, from time to time, outbreaks an clusters as we have seen in Victoria.”

Check out Victoria’s new coronavirus restrictions:

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