Victorians will be subjected to the harshest restrictions in the country after a state of disaster was declared with tough new rules, including curfews and curbs of Melburnians’ movements.

“Those mysteries, that community transmission is in many respects our biggest challenge,” Mr Andrews said.
Mr Andrews said community transmission had reached an unacceptably high level and cases would continue climbing without the new restrictions.
“If we don’t take these steps we’re going to see more and more cases. That may mean our strategy doesn’t work at all, even if you were to wait five to six months. Faced with that choice, more is needed,” he said.
Victoria’s Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton was hopeful the restrictions were suppressing community transmission and although Victoria had “maybe” passed the peak, the effect on the numbers would not be seen for another week.
Under the tough new rules which are slated to last six weeks, Melburnians will be subjected to nightly curfews between 8pm and 5am, shopping will be limited to one person per household per day and people are not allowed to travel further than 5 kilometres from their home.
Exercise is capped at one hour a day and in groups of no more than two, public transport during curfew hours will be reduced and Melbourne weddings will be banned from 11.59pm on Wednesday.
All schools will return to remote learning from Wednesday, except for vulnerable children or those of essential workers and childcare centres will also shut.
Regional Victoria will move to stage three stay-at-home restrictions from 11.59pm on Wednesday.
Victoria Police members stop motorists leaving metropolitan Melbourne on Sunday. Paul Rovere
Australian Medical Association President Dr Omar Khorshid said tougher restrictions and better compliance were needed if the virus was to be stopped and the current pressure on healthcare workers was unsustainable.
These new restrictions will mean hardship and inconvenience for many Victorians and another interruption for the economy,” he said.
“We should not underestimate the significance of this decision, but more needs to be done to stop the spread of virus in workplaces.”
Professor Sutton was hopeful “the shock and awe” tactics of stage four restrictions would help drive the seriousness of the situation home.
“We knew it would be harder and knew it wasn’t like the first wave but, in part, that’s because the fatigue that people have experienced and the sense of complacency… but I think the message is loud and clear now,” he said.
It is only the second time a state of disaster has been declared in Victoria. Under a state of disaster, police have extra powers and various acts of parliament can be suspended.
“There is no question about the enforceability and the way in which new rules are going to operate,” Mr Andrews said.
Mr Andrews will make an announcement around workplace and business restrictions on Monday.
Justin O’Donnell, president of the Chapel Street Precinct Association, feared many small businesses would not be able to survive any further restrictions.
“Further lockdowns is going to devastate many of our businesses. We’re pretty gutted that we’re very likely about to enter stage four lockdowns for another six weeks,” he said.
“There needs to be very quickly some announcements by government on what support will be provided for businesses.”
Scenes at Costco, Docklands on Sunday morning. Wayne Taylor
Mr Andrews also moved to quell concerns over the restrictions which saw panicked shoppers flock to supermarkets and grocery stores on Sunday.
“I want to make the point there’s no need to be queuing up at the Coles or Woolworths or queuing up at the local baker or butcher, they’ll remain open,” he said.
“They’ll remain to be able to provide you with the things that you need. Takeaway meals, home delivery meals, they’ll remain as they are now.”