Italy maintains alert in opening of air traffic 3:33
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(CNN) - Australia will isolate 6.6 million people in the state of Victoria from the rest of the country from 11:59 pm on Tuesday, as authorities take drastic measures to control a coronavirus outbreak in the city of Melbourne.
The border between Victoria and New South Wales, Australia's two most populous states, will be closed for the first time since the pandemic began, Victorian Prime Minister Daniel Andrews announced Monday.
Military and police personnel will line up at the state border, allowing very few people to cross, according to CNN affiliate 7NEWS.
Victoria has struggled to contain a second wave of coronavirus cases, fearing that the infection rate may soon rise across the country. Last week it emerged that some contract workers in Melbourne were not following protocols at a hotel used to quarantine those arriving from abroad to the state, including having sex with people under confinement.
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The spike in cases has forced authorities to impose house confinement orders in dozens of suburbs, and on Saturday 3,000 residents of nine densely populated housing estates were suddenly subjected to total confinement.
This Sunday Victoria recorded its highest daily peak of 127 new cases, including 16 in the nine public housing towers.
The coronavirus has infected 2,663 people and killed 22 in Victoria. In Australia, more than 8,500 people have been infected and 106 have died, according to the Johns Hokpins University count.
Victoria Prime Minister Daniel Andrews announced the closure of the Victoria-New South Wales border at the daily briefing on July 6.
"It is the smart call, the right call at the moment, given the significant challenges we face in containing this virus," Andrews said of the decision to close Victoria.
There are 55 land crossings between Victoria and New South Wales, including four major roads, 33 bridges, and two waterways. People who need to cross them, such as those working in a different state, will be able to apply for permits to do so, Andrews added.
According to a statement issued by the Government of New South Wales, all travelers returning from Melbourne and the state of Victoria will have to spend 14 days of self-isolation or face heavy penalties and fines.
It is unclear how this will affect the numerous border communities between the two states, or the constitutionality of the border closure. Section 92 of the Australian Constitution says that "business, commerce and relations between states, whether by internal transport or ocean shipping, will be absolutely free."
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"Total closure"
The total closure imposed on the 3,000 residents of public housing in Melbourne was originally intended to last five days, but could be extended if more cases are found or if people refuse to be tested, Andrews said.
All residents in the towers are being screened for the virus. So far, 398 tests have been performed and 53 positive cases have been found. Tenants in the densely populated blocks cannot leave their homes for any reason, and police parked outside the towers to enforce the order.
Residents under house confinement orders in other parts of Melbourne, meanwhile, can still go shopping for groceries, exercise, and work and school if they can't do it remotely.
Emma King, executive director of the Victoria Social Services Council, said the hard confinement in the tower blocks "would scare many people and bring back memories of past trauma."
“Some public housing tenants have fled war or family violence. Some are dealing with mental health problems. Many do not speak English as their first language. Many others have casual or insecure jobs, "said King.
On Sunday morning local time, Andrews said residents would receive free rent and financial support. She acknowledged that many residents of public housing units were "in poor health" and said "this is not going to be a pleasant experience."
Thousands of meals as well as other essentials have been delivered in a "massive logistical exercise" to support residents of public housing, Andrews said, adding that there is "substantial" support for mental health and drug therapy for those in need.
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In this photo, an ambulance appears outside the nine public houses in confinement due to an increase in coid-19 cases, in Melbourne, on July 6.
Judicial investigation
Last week, Australian officials launched a judicial investigation amid allegations that the new coronavirus outbreak in the state of Victoria was caused by some contract workers who were not following protocols at a hotel used to quarantine international arrivals.
Andrews announced Thursday that the state government would provide AUS $ 3 million to support the investigation. She previously said that several cases, in late May and early June, could be related to "a violation of infection control in the hotel's quarantine program."
Authorities in Australia have seized several hotels across the country as part of strict border controls aimed at slowing the spread of the new coronavirus. Anyone arriving in Australia must complete a mandatory 14-day quarantine at the facility, which is administered by the Government.
Only Australian citizens and permanent residents can enter the country, with some exceptions.
The national radio station ABC reported that 31 cases have been related to the Stamford Plaza hotel in Melbourne, while other infections have been related to the Rydges on Swanston hotel, which is also located in the state capital. CNN has contacted both hotels for comment.
"It is very clear that what happened here is completely unacceptable and we need to know exactly what happened," Andrews said in the statement.
According to CNN affiliate 9 News, the alleged violations include claims that some workers had sex with guests in isolation and also due to lack of training for guards. A hired security guard told 9 News's "Today" program that he received only five minutes of training before work began.
Officials have not confirmed the allegations, and CNN has contacted the Victoria Department of Health and Human Services, which manages quarantines in the state, for comment. In an interview with Channel Seven, affiliated with CNN, on Thursday, Australian Health Minister Greg Hunt said: "There are two cases where there appear to have been clear violations with significant ramifications."
mandatory confinement
