Millions of Victorians will remain in lockdown for another seven days as the state struggles to control its fifth coronavirus outbreak.

The entire state was plunged into a snap five-day lockdown last week after the NSW outbreak of the highly contagious Delta strain crossed the border.

The lockdown was scheduled to end at midnight but has been extended for another seven days until midnight July 27 after Victoria recorded 13 new cases on Tuesday.

Four of those cases were announced a day earlier. 

This is Victoria’s fifth lockdown since the pandemic hit Australia’s shores early last year and the third one so far in 2021. 

‘We want to avoid a long, lengthy challenging lockdown where you lose control of cases, we have avoided that, but we need more time,’ Victoria Premier Daniel Andrews said.

He also reinstated a hard border with NSW and ordered a temporary pause on the issuing of ‘red zone’ permits.

Victoria will remain in lockdown until midnight July 27. Pictured are Melburnians on Monday

Victoria will remain in lockdown until midnight July 27. Pictured are Melburnians on Monday

Victoria will remain in lockdown until midnight July 27. Pictured are Melburnians on Monday

From midnight on Tuesday, Victorians returning home from north of the border must apply for a new permit.

The only ones allowed to enter will be authorised workers and those who successfully apply for a compassionate exemption.

‘That is very challenging. So, too, is an outbreak. So, too, is us getting this current incursion and outbreak sorted, only to have the next one flare up,’ Mr Andrews said.

‘Things are too unstable, too uncertain and frankly out of control from a virus point of view in Sydney. 

‘We need to protect Victoria and Victorians and indeed, beyond that, the rest of the nation.’

The ban on red zone permits will be reviewed in a fortnight, and those applying for an exemption on compassionate grounds were urged to be patient while their applications were accessed.

Mr Andrews made no apologies for the new rule, which could leave Victorians south of the border stranded, and he lashed out at residents who delayed coming home.

Lockdown was extended after Victoria recorded 13 new cases on Tuesday. Pictured is a health worker at a drive-through testing clinic at Albert Park

Lockdown was extended after Victoria recorded 13 new cases on Tuesday. Pictured is a health worker at a drive-through testing clinic at Albert Park

Lockdown was extended after Victoria recorded 13 new cases on Tuesday. Pictured is a health worker at a drive-through testing clinic at Albert Park

‘For four weeks we have been saying to people from Victoria who are in Sydney and broader NSW, not the bubble, but I mean beyond that border bubble, we have been saying, “come home because the rules may change”,’ the Premier said.

‘The rules are changing today.’

The premier later wrongly claimed Sydneysiders in lockdown were free to roam NSW when they’ve been unable to leave the metropolitan area for the past three weeks.

‘They’re not locked into Sydney so they must be locked out of Victoria,’ Mr Andrews claimed.

Anyone caught crossing the border from NSW without an exemption will be put on a return flight or placed in 14 days hotel quarantine and fined $5,452.  

Nine of the 13 new cases announced on Tuesday were isolating for 100 per cent of their infectious period.

But health officials insisted it was too early to lift lockdown if they want to avoid the ongoing crisis in Sydney.

They’re also keen avoid a repeat of the 112-day lockdown in Melbourne last year.

Lockdown was extended to avoid a repeat of Melbourne's 112-day lockdown last year

Lockdown was extended to avoid a repeat of Melbourne's 112-day lockdown last year

Lockdown was extended to avoid a repeat of Melbourne’s 112-day lockdown last year

Non-essential retailers in Victoria will remain closed until midnight July 27. Pictured is a deserted Bourke Street Mall on Tuesday

Non-essential retailers in Victoria will remain closed until midnight July 27. Pictured is a deserted Bourke Street Mall on Tuesday

Non-essential retailers in Victoria will remain closed until midnight July 27. Pictured is a deserted Bourke Street Mall on Tuesday

‘We can’t run the risk that there are cases out there that we don’t know about, chains of transmission that are not yet contained that we don’t know about, and that if we were to open up, we would see how quickly this would run, how challenging this can become in a very short space of time,’ Mr Andrews said.

A ring of steel was erected around Melbourne during last year’s extended lockdown in wake of a horror waves that claimed more than 900 lives in Victoria. 

‘I will just remind you all that we had a ring of steel around Melbourne last year and it didn’t just protect country Victoria, we protected the whole country,’ Mr Andrews said.

He was sked if he would like his NSW counterpart Gladys Berejiklian to enforce something similar in Sydney 

‘That is entirely a matter for them. But I don’t want to see more case coming from Sydney,’ Mr Andrews replied. 

Government support for businesses crippled by the extended lockdown will be announced in the coming days. 

Melbourne's CBD was deserted on Tuesday as lockdown was extended another week. Pictured is Bourke Street

Melbourne's CBD was deserted on Tuesday as lockdown was extended another week. Pictured is Bourke Street

Melbourne’s CBD was deserted on Tuesday as lockdown was extended another week. Pictured is Bourke Street

Almost 49,500 Victorians came forward for testing on Monday while another 17,083 rolled up their sleeves for the Covid-19 jab.

Two overseas-acquired cases currently in hotel quarantine were also recorded.

Almost 16,000 close contacts have been ordered to isolate for 14 days while the growing list of exposure sites has surged past 270, which includes regional venues. 

Almost a third of Victoria’s locally-acquired coronavirus cases can be traced back to a sports fan who attended an AFL match, a Euro 2020 viewing party and the rugby while unknowingly infectious.

That man caught the virus from a resident of a Maribyrnong apartment complex who caught the virus from unmasked NSW removalists and went on to spread it to friends and family.

Twelve of Tuesday’s cases are linked to the current outbreaks of the Delta variant in the state, which originated in NSW, while one case remains under investigation.

All of Victoria was plunged into lockdown after a NSW outbreak crossed the border. Pictured are health workers at a testing clinic in Melbourne

All of Victoria was plunged into lockdown after a NSW outbreak crossed the border. Pictured are health workers at a testing clinic in Melbourne

All of Victoria was plunged into lockdown after a NSW outbreak crossed the border. Pictured are health workers at a testing clinic in Melbourne

A day earlier, the Premier said Victoria risked ‘a few days of ­sunshine’ for a prolonged lockdown if restrictions were lifted too early.

‘There is an ongoing challenge for all of us, but we will not be ready to lift these restrictions at midnight tomorrow night,’ he told reporters on Monday.

‘To do so, would not be the right thing to do. I know this is not the news people want to hear but we have to do the right thing.’ 

‘It would be perhaps a few days of sunshine and then a very high chance of being back in lockdown again.’ 

A Melbourne resident made their feelings known of what they think of  the lockdown extension

A Melbourne resident made their feelings known of what they think of  the lockdown extension

A Melbourne resident made their feelings known of what they think of  the lockdown extension

Melbourne residents will now prepare to go into an extended lockdown which was due to end at 11.59pm on Tuesday

Melbourne residents will now prepare to go into an extended lockdown which was due to end at 11.59pm on Tuesday

Melbourne residents will now prepare to go into an extended lockdown which was due to end at 11.59pm on Tuesday

The border between Victoria and New South Wales also remains a concern for health authorities as Sydney continues to grapple with its outbreak.

There are 15,800 close contacts in Victoria with thousands connected to major exposure sites across the state.

More than 3,000 are linked to the MCG, 1,800 to AAMI Park stadium, 2,300 to Trinity Grammar and 2,700 to Bacchus Marsh Grammar. 

All the new cases recorded in Victoria are linked to the current outbreaks of the Delta variant in the state, which originated in NSW.

NSW recorded 78 new cases on Tuesday, where Sydney and surrounding regions will remain in lockdown until July 30.

South Australia entered a snap seven-day lockdown on Tuesday after new Delta cases emerged after the virus crossed the border from NSW

A store keeper wearing a mask hands over an order in the deli section of the Queen Victoria Market

A store keeper wearing a mask hands over an order in the deli section of the Queen Victoria Market

A store keeper wearing a mask hands over an order in the deli section of the Queen Victoria Market

Victoria’s exposure sites list swells 

Tier 1 – Anyone who has visited the following locations during the listed times must get tested immediately and quarantine for 14 days from the exposure:

AAMI Park: Gate Seven, Tuesday July 13, from 7.56pm to 8.13pm

Yarra tram route 109: Charles Street and Cotham Road Stop 35 to Burke Road  and Whitehorse Road Stop 42, Wednesday July 14, from 3.25pm to 3.55pm

Yarra tram route 109: Burke Road & Whitehorse Road Stop 42 to Kew Junction & High Street Stop 32, Wednesday July 14, from 5.25pm to 5.55pm

Yarra tram route 72: Cotham Road & Whitehorse Road Stop 70 to Camberwell Station & Burke Road Stop 64, Wednesday July 14, 3.45pm to 5.15pm 

Yarra tram route 72: Camberwell Station & Burke Road Stop 64 to Cotham Road & Whitehorse Road Stop 70, Wednesday July 14, from 5.21pm to 5.31pm 

Yarra tram route 48: Batman’s Hill D15 to Burnley Street & Bridge Street Stop 21, Wednesday July 14, from 6.04pm to 6.33pm 

Yarra tram route 75: Burnley Street & Bridge Road Stop to Central Pier & Harbour Esplanade D4, Thursday July 15, from 8.03 to 8.32am   

Broadmeadows: Olsen Place Pharmacy, Thursday July 15 from 3:25pm to 4:15pm

Kew: Skinny Dog Hotel, Wednesday July 14 from 6:05pm to 7:35pm

Kew: Augustus Gelato, Wednesday July 14 from 7:10pm 7:55pm

Camberwell: Chargrill Charlie’s, Wednesday July 14 4:10pm to 5:10pm

Clayton: Home Make It, Thursday July 15 from 4:04pm to 4:29pm

Cowes: Liquorland, Monday July 12 from 5pm to 5:30pm

Cowes: Salvos, Tuesday July 13 from 10:35am to 10:55am

Cremorne: Gaochi King Restaurant, Tuesday July 13 from 8:30pm to 9:10pm

Tottenham: Rocke Brothers Pty Ltd – Transportation, Wednesday July 14 from 5:20am to 5:30pm

Tottenham: Rocke Brothers Pty Ltd – Transportation, Tuesday July 13 from 5:20am to 5:30pm

Cowes: Cowes Shopping Centre Public Toilets, Wednesday July 14 from 10:40am to 11:20am

Dallas: Foodworks, Friday July 16 from 11:45am to 1pm

Dallas: Freshplus, Friday July 16 from 1pm to 1:50pm

Albert Park: Basketball Hall, Melbourne Sports and Acquatic Centre (MSAC), Thursday July 25 from 9:15pm to 10:40pm

Melbourne: The Crafty Squire, Monday July 12 from 3am to 8:15am

Footscray: Jesus is the Way Christian Church, Wednesday July 14 from 7:30pm to 9:30pm

Cowes: U-Neek Souvenirs Stores, Tuesday July 13 from 11:05am to 11:30am

Malvern East: McDonalds Homesglen, Wednesday July 14 from 10:35pm to 11pm

Kew: Frank & Harri, Tuesday July 13 from 10am to 11:30am

Kew: Frank & Harri, Wednesday July 14 from 10am to 11:30am

Melbourne: Construction Site – Bourke Street entrance, lobby, and lantern area, Thursday July 15 from 8:50am to 10am

Altona: Altona Sports Centre, Tuesday July 13 from 8pm to 10pm

Cowes: Subway, Wednesday July 14 from 12:20pm to 12:45pm

Cowes: Woolworths, Wednesday July 14 from 12:28pm to 12:45pm

Cowes: Aldi, Tuesday July 13 from 6:55pm to 7:25pm

Cowes: Xpress Gourmet Pizza and Pasta, Tuesday July 13 from 7:10pm to 7:25pm

Cowes: Xpress Gourmet Pizza and Pasta, Tuesday July 13 from 6:50pm to 7:05pm

Cowes: Youki’s Japenese Restaurant, Tuesday July 13 from 12:55pm to 1:20pm

Cowes: One Stop Discount Shop, Tuesday July 13 from 10:50am to 11:15am

Cowes: Woolworths, Tuesday July 13 from 10L40am to 11:05am

Cowes: Vinnies, Tuesday July 13, 9am to 9:20am

Cremorne: Ms Frankie, Thursday July 15 from 4pm to 10:30pm

Cremorne: Ms Frankie, Thursday July 15 from 12:30pm to 11:59pm

Collins Square Ground Floor Foyer (Tower 4) – Wednesday July 14, 9:00am to 9:05am

End of Trip Facility in Collins Square (Car Park 1), Thursday July 15, 8:50am to 9:30am

End of Trip Facility in Collins Square (Car Park 1), Tuesday July 13, 7:55am to 8:30am

Collins Square (Level 19, Tower 4), Thursday July 15, 10:50am to 3:15pm

Collins Square (Level 19, Tower 4), Wednesday July 14, 9:00am to 6:30pm

Collins Square (Level 19, Tower 4), Tuesday July 13, 8:15am to 5:30pm

Bentleigh East: Valkstone Primary School basketball stadium – Wednesday, July 14, 4.45pm-6.30pm

Phillip Island: Cowes North Pier Hotel – Monday, July 12, 7.22pm-10.47pm

Phillip Island: Grand Prix Circuit, Ventor – Tuesday, July 13, 11.10am-1.17pm

Phillip Island: Coles supermarket, Cowes – Monday, July 12, 4.30pm-5.30pm

Richmond: F45 Cremorne Street – Wednesday, July 14, 6.50am-8.05am, Thursday July 15, 6.35am-8.05am

Frankston: Village Cinemas showing of the movie Black Widow – Monday, July 12, 6pm-8.30pm

Point Cook: Sanctuary Lakes Charcoal Chicken & Salad Bar – Wednesday, July 14, 12:46pm – 1:20pm

Richmond: Percy Beames Bar, Members’ Reserve (Level 2) – Melbourne Cricket Ground – Saturday July 10, 4:00pm – 4:30pm and 5:20pm – 5:50pm

Sunshine: Helping Hands Mission Inc Sunshine Op Shop – Monday, July 12, 10:30am – 11:30am

Niddrie: Vinnies Niddrie – Monday July 12, 11:30am – 12:30pm

Moonee Ponds: Hero Sushi – Monday July 12, 2:30pm – 3:15pm

Maidstone: Chemist Warehouse – Monday July 12, 5:10pm – 5:50pm

Bundoora: Dr Suguna Vimalanathan Dental Surgery – Tuesday July 13, 12:30pm – 1:03pm and 2:00pm – 3:30pm

Bundoora: Salvos Stores Bundoora – Tuesday July 13, 11:45am – 1:00pm

Moonee Ponds: Australian Red Cross Moonee Ponds Op Shop – Monday, July 12, 12:30pm – 1:15pm

Carnegie: Spotlight – Tuesday July 13, 4:20pm – 5:00pm

Tier 2 – Anyone who has visited the following locations during the listed times should urgently get tested, then isolate until confirmation of a negative result. Continue to monitor for symptoms, get tested again if symptoms appear:

AAMI Park: Men’s bathroom between aisles 21 and 23, Tuesday July 13, between 8.45pm to 9.15pm. 

Yarra tram route 11 or 48: Batman’s Hill D15 to William Street & Collins Street Stop 3, Thursday July 15, from 8.20am to 8.50am

Yarra tram route 11 or 48: William Street & Collins Street Stop 3 to Batman’s Hill D15, Thursday July 15, from 10.30am to 11am

Yarra tram route 75: Burnley Street & Bridge Street Stop 21 to The Goods Shed & McCrae Street D5, Wednesday July 14, from 8.15am to 9.15am 

Metro Trains- Glen Waverley Line, Richmond Station to Holmesglen Station – Wednesday July 14, 10:13pm – 10:34pm

Metro Trains- Glen Waverley Line, Richmond Station to Holmesglen Station – Wednesday July 14, 3:26pm – 3:48pm

Waurn Ponds: Deakin University buildings IB and IC – Wednesday July 14, 10am-2pm

Waurn Ponds: Deakin University market hall cafeteria, building JB – Wednesday July 14, 12pm-1pm

Phillip Island: Phillip Island Bakery, Cowes – Tuesday, July 13, 1pm-1.45pm

Phillip Island: Phillip Island Coffee Co, Cowes – Wednesday, July 14, 9.10am-9.50am

Phillip Island: Phillip Island Nature Parks, The Nobbies, Summerlands – Monday, July 12, 3.35pm-4.20pm; Tuesday, July 13, 4.37pm-5.10pm

Phillip Island: Phillip Island Chocolate Factory – Tuesday, July 13, 2.57pm-3.55pm

Phillip Island: G’Day Tiger, Cowes – Tuesday July 13, 9.16am-10.24am

Phillip Island: A Maze N Things Theme Park, Cowes – Wednesday, July 14, 3.24pm-4.05pm

Phillip Island: Jolly Lolly Trolley, Cowes – Wednesday, July 14, 3.24pm-4.05pm

Williamstown: Coles – Tuesday July 13, 5:20pm – 5:55pm

Richmond: MCC Members’ Reserve (all other staff and ticketholders, all levels), Carlton v Geelong game – Saturday July 10, 4:00pm – 8:00pm

Richmond: Coles – Monday July 12, 12:30pm – 1:05pm

Richmond: Soul Origin – Monday July 12, 12:35pm – 1:10pm

Richmond: Victoria Gardens Shopping Centre – Basement level car park (Purple Zone) – Monday July 12, 8:50am – 9:30am and 4:30pm – 5:10pm

Avondale Heights: Coles – Monday July 12, 8:00am – 9:15am

Chadstone: ZiNG Pop Culture – Monday July 12, 5:25pm – 6:00pm

Chadstone: Target – Monday July 12, 5:25pm – 6:00pm

Chadstone: Kmart – Monday July 12, 5:25pm – 6:00pm

Carnegie: Carnegie Central – Tuesday July 13, 4:20pm – 5:20pm

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Source: Daily Mail

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