Photo: Getty ImagesThe leader of Australia's Victoria state said on Monday it was too early to say if a snap five-day coronavirus lockdown would end as planned on Wednesday evening, as authorities confirmed a national vaccine rollout was on track to begin next week. Under the state-wide lockdown, Victoria's six million-plus residents are required to stay home except for essential shopping and work, caregiving and outdoor exercise. The Australian Open tennis tournament, which is being held in the state capital of Melbourne until Feb. 21, has barred spectators until the end of the lockdown. "I can also confirm that the vaccines are scheduled to land in Australia before the end of the week, if not earlier," Hunt told reporters. Neighbouring New Zealand has put its largest city of Auckland under a snap lockdown through Wednesday after detecting three new cases over the weekend, leading Australia to suspend quarantine-free travel for arriving New Zealanders.

Source: Otago Daily Times February 15, 2021 00:22 UTC