Activities halted and facilities closed as Victorian Government introduces Stage four Coronavirus lockdown in Melbourne

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews has announced that Melbourne will be subject to Stage four lockdown Coronavirus restrictions to combat community transmission of COVID-19.

Starting from 6pm tonight (Sunday), the tougher rules include an overnight curfew and a limit on travelling more than 5 kilometre for shopping and exercise.

The restrictions on residents in the Melbourne metropolitan area will apply for six weeks until 13th September.

Premier Andrews also declared a state of disaster in Victoria for the first time since the bushfires earlier this year.

Under the new restrictions, people can only leave their home once a day for essential supplies and food, and once for one hour of exercise, within a 5 kilometre radius.

It will require all aquatic and recreation facilities, gyms, hospitality and entertainment venues to close while golf courses and public tennis courts, which were allowed to stay open in Stage three, will be closed again and people will no longer be allowed to exercise in groups larger than two, even for those living in the same household.

Commenting on the restrictions, Premier Andrews stated "we can no longer have people simply out and about for no good reason whatsoever.

"It is not an easy decision to make but it is necessary and that’s why I’ve made it and that’s why police will be out in force and you will be stopped and you will be asked and need to demonstrate that you are lawfully out and you are not breaching that curfew."

The curfew, which will apply between 8pm and 5am, will require people living in Melbourne to remain at home except for work, medical care and caregiving.

Regional Victoria will move to Stage three restrictions from midnight on Wednesday.

Victoria reported 671 new cases of coronavirus on Sunday and seven more deaths.

Stage three measures ignored
The measures follow ongoing rises in COVID-19 infections in Victoria and a significant number of people ignoring quarantine requirements as well as not social distancing or wearing masks in Melbourne’s locked down areas.

Last Sunday a group of conspiracy theorists gathered at a Melbourne gym, The Combat Athlete in Cranbourne gym, as part of a broader movement of 'sovereign citizens' who use the Victorian Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities Act to challenge the law.

One attendee posted an image of the meeting on Facebook which showed the group was not wearing masks or social distancing.

He wrote "a great night together discussing the putrid conduct of the police, government and media lies.

“We are strong and won’t bow down to these oppressors."

The meeting was addressed by a woman who has risen to prominence having filmed herself driving through a Victoria Police checkpoint.

Images: Melbourne's Shrine of Remembrance (top) and a group of coronavirus conspiracy theorists meet last Sunday at the Combat Athlete gym in Cranbourne (below).