Victoria records 21 new cases as Police arrest dozens of anti-lockdown protesters
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Aug 12, 2021 07:27
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Victoria has confirmed 21 new Covid-19 cases as speculation grows the lockdown could be extended again. Of the new local cases, 17 are linked to current outbreaks and four are still under investigation. Fifteen have been in quarantine throughout their infectious periods.
This comes after police shut down an anti-lockdown rally yesterday night, arresting 73 protesters for offences associated with the protest and for breaching the Chief Health Officer's directions.
Melbourne will remain under stay-at-home orders for at least another week after 20 new infections were recorded yesterday. Authorities are already discussing the prospect of extending the shutdown another week.
The city was initially due to come out of lockdown tonight, but yesterday it was revealed it would be extended until 11.59pm on August 19. Premier Daniel Andrews said there were still “too many unanswered questions and too many mysteries” to ease restrictions.
Defences to stop the spread of the New South Wales outbreak - which recorded 344 new cases on Wednesday - have also be strengthened, with the Victoria-NSW border bubble now subject to a permit system.
