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Australia's peak medical body has called for a nationwide temporary pause on lifting coronavirus restrictions amid a spike in cases in Melbourne. Tony Bartone, the president of the Australian Medical Association (AMA), has urged health authorities across the country to take a cautious approach to easing restrictions.
Michael Kidd, the Australian Government Deputy Chief Medical Officer, said in an update on Monday that there have been 140 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Australia in the last 24 hours.
Of the new cases, 127 were in Victoria. And this is the state's biggest daily increase, according to local media.
"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," Bartone said in a media release on Sunday.
"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."
Prime Minister Scott Morrison in May revealed a three-stage plan for lifting restrictions in a "COVID-safe" way by the end of July.
Victoria has delayed its plan to ease restrictions and re-imposed strict Stay at Home directions on 12 postcodes.
People who live in these restricted postcodes are only allowed to go out for four reasons: shopping for food and supplies, medical care and caregiving - including to be tested for COVID-19, exercise and study or work - if unable to work or study from home.
"There were 108 new cases yesterday (July 4), leading to stay-at-home orders for two additional postcodes and thousands of people, and a 'hard lockdown' for nine public housing towers, affecting around 3,000 people," said AMA in the same media release on Sunday.
"This is on top of 10 postcodes affecting 300,000 plus residents already announced."
