Australia’s second coronavirus wave ‘will see quarantine breakers JAILED’ as millions prepare for return of lockdowns

CORONAVIRUS lockdown breakers could face jail and heavy fines as tough restrictions are introduced in Victoria to kill off a second coronavirus wave.

Premier Daniel Andrews said the entire Australian state could be put under severe restrictions if the localised lockdowns failed to stop the spread of the virus.

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He said: “If we don't get control of this really quickly we will end up with… a whole state shutdown.”

Currently 36 suburbs in Melbourne are due to go into lockdown from midnight tonight in a bid to halt the growing number of cases in the state.

People living in those areas will only be allowed out of their homes to work, attend school or for food shopping, giving care and daily exercise.

The state has identified 212 new coronavirus cases in the past three days alone, including 73 on Wednesday.

But while most other Australian states have reported zero or low single-digit daily increases in Covid-19 infections for weeks, Victoria has experienced double-digit increases for each of the previous 14 days, taking the national total to its highest number of new cases since April.

Victoria has a population of 6.4million people, making it the second most populous state behind New South Wales (NSW).

The NSW government announced this morning it was banning people entering the state from the 36 Melbourne suburbs going into lockdown.

Anyone breaking the lockdown restrictions could be faced with a $11,000 fine or six months in prison.

If we don't get control of this really quickly we will end up with… a whole state shutdown

Victoria Premier Daniel Andrews

Mr Andrews said his public health advisors had said the lockdown measures were necessary to stop “shutting down all postcodes later”.

He told 3AW: “This is not over. This is so wildly infectious that even minor breaches of the rules can lead to this random movement of the virus around the community.”

A “booze bus-type arrangement” would be in force on main roads through the area to make sure people kept to the lockdown, he said.

He added: “There will be random checks about why people are out of their house and if they have a valid reason.

“I hope we don't have to issue any fines but unless you enforce these rules they won't be followed.”

Meanwhile, NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard has said anyone from those areas caught in his state could face six months in jail and an $11,000 fine from 11.59pm tonight.

NSW residents returning from those areas are allowed to go home but they must isolate for 14 days.

While he said the plans were still being worked out about how the police would enforce the rules he said one option would be for cops to quiz drivers with Victorian licence plates on where they had been.

Mr Hazzard said: “Victorians living in virus hotspots have to take the Victorian and NSW health orders seriously and should be very aware that NSW will impose penalties if they seek to leave hotspot suburbs to enter NSW.”

Exemptions will be made for those requiring urgent medical care or for compassionate reasons.

NSW has otherwise continued to ease its coronavirus restrictions for entertainment venues, weddings and community sport but physical distancing measures are still in place.

Mr Hazzard said businesses should ensure they have a COVID Safety Plan outlining how they will keep a safe environment for their staff and customers.

He said: “Until we have a vaccine, everyone has a role to play keeping the community safe, whether that is mum and dad at their kid's soccer match or your local café operator.

“The NSW Government has always said with the easing of restrictions comes risk, so I urge everyone to maintain physical distancing, get tested if you feel unwell and stay home if sick.”