Photo: ReutersAustralia's second largest city Melbourne will exit a Covid-19 hard lockdown as planned on Thursday night, Victoria state authorities said, although some restrictions on travel and gatherings would likely remain for another week. After two weeks in a strict lockdown that forced people to remain home except for essential business, Melbourne's five million residents will get more freedom to step outside from 11.59pm (local time). "This is a good day," Victoria state Acting Premier James Merlino told reporters in Melbourne on Wednesday. Merlino said further easing of restrictions for Melbourne could happen within a week barring any spike in cases. On Wednesday, Victoria reported just one new locally acquired Covid-19 case, the lowest rise in more than two weeks, versus two a day earlier.

Source: Otago Daily Times June 09, 2021 02:37 UTC