The state of Victoria and the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) on Monday announced a state of emergency to deal with the spread of the new coronavirus in Australia.
Victoria, the country’s second-most populated state with Melbourne as its capital, and the territory surrounding the country’s capital Canberra announced the measure after two more elderly people died overnight of Covid-19, the respiratory disease caused by the virus.
Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews said the emergency powers “have never been used before.”
“That gives you, I hope, a really clear sense about the unprecedented nature of this public health emergency, this really significant challenge,” Andrews said.
The state of emergency in Victoria will last at least four weeks starting from midday (0100 GMT) on Monday. It means authorised officers in Victoria can quarantine places and people, detain them, restrict movement and prevent entry to premises to protect the public.
Overnight, state health authorities confirmed two more people died in New South Wales, the jurisdiction with most cases of Covid-19.
A 77-year-old woman who had recently arrived in Sydney died on Friday in a Sydney hospital. A 90-year-old woman residing in an aged-care home died a day later. Both tested positive to the new coronavirus.
Australia has more than 300 confirmed cases of Covid-19, with five deaths, including the two reported overnight.
The Australian federal government on Sunday announced that all people travelling to the country must abide by a compulsory 14-day self-isolation at home or in their hotel.
State police will enforce the rule and breaching the order could land the offender a fine of up to 20,000 Australian dollars (12,350 US dollars), depending on state jurisdictions. (dpa)
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