The Australian Medical Association has urged states and territories to temporarily stop lifting coronavirus restrictions in the wake of the spike in cases and outbreaks in Melbourne.
The AMA's president Tony Bartone said the 108 new cases revealed in Victoria on Saturday acted as a"stark reminder" that the pandemic is not yet over.
AMA president Tony Bartone said the roll-back of coronavirus restrictions should be paused, as Victoria deals with a number of outbreaks."These new outbreaks send a strong signal that the other states should rethink the pace of easing of their COVID-19 restrictions until community transmission in Melbourne is under control to avoid the risk of a similar situation playing out in their own communities," he said.
"Before rushing back to the pub, the footy crowds, or the big weddings and parties, Australia should pause and play it safe until the Melbourne hotspots are back under control."Of the 94 new COVID-19 cases announced across Australia on Sunday by the Deputy Chief Medical Officer Paul Kelly, all of the positive infections outside of Victoria were returned travellers in hotel quarantine. Victoria accounted for 74 positive cases.
But instead, Victoria was forced to lockdown 12 different postcodes over the last week, with residents only able to leave for the essentials such as food, exercise, work, and for care-giving purposes. Nine public housing towers in Melbourne were subject to a 'hard lockdown' for five days - meaning residents could not leave - from Saturday afternoon.
Premier Daniel Andrews said it is likely Victoria will see some “big numbers” when it comes to cases in the coming days, but it will be part because of the widespread testing carried out statewide.
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