Bizarre scenes in Melbourne as Stage Four restrictions begin

Melbourne’s city streets, usually bustling with people and traffic, were unrecognisable on Monday morning, as residents adapted to new Stage Four restrictions.

Victoria Premier Daniel Andrews announced 429 news cases on Monday and 13 deaths.

It followed 671 new cases of coronavirus and seven deaths on Sunday when a “state of disaster” was declared.

A Reddit user took an image of Melbourne CBD at “peak hour” on Monday morning with just one tram and a few people on the street.

“Day one of Stage Four lockdown, “peak hour” in Melbourne...” the Reddit user wrote.

Callista Wibowo filmed the iconic Bourke Street hours after the curfew came into effect on Sunday night, with only a handful of people seen on the usually packed streets.

Another Melburnian filmed on Monday morning as they walked the corner of Swanston Street and La Trobe Street, showing just a handful of people out and about.

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More restrictions to come for Victoria

Residents in regional Victoria will move to stage three restrictions, while those in Melbourne metro areas will have to abide by stage four restrictions for the next six weeks, that includes an 8pm to 5am curfew and only essential travel within a 5km distance from their address.

Premier Andrews on Monday advised most retailers will be forced to close from Wednesday at 11.59pm.

Exercise is limited to a maximum of one hour per day and no more than five kilometres from your home, while grocery shopping is limited to one person per household per day.

Jody Scott-Greer left her home on Monday morning to undergo “urgent cancer treatment” and was astounded to find herself in an empty train carriage.

“I have never seen a train carriage as spotless as this one!” she wrote on Twitter along with an image of herself in the empty carriage.

Another photo of a usually congested Melbourne street showed just a few cars on the road during the usually busy mid-morning period.

“This is one of Melbourne’s busiest roads, Springvale Road. Extremely quiet compared to usual.

“Melburnians are staying home,” Twitter user @StellaSpoons wrote along with the image.

With a state of disaster declared, police have additional powers to fine anyone caught breaking curfew or outside a 5km radius of their home without a reasonable excuse.

with AAP

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