Melbourne's pedestrian traffic down 90 per cent during coronavirus lockdown

It’s the centre of Australia’s coronavirus battle but since Melbourne’s stage four restrictions came into effect on Sunday, a new statistic shows residents are taking the city’s lockdown very seriously.

Victoria recorded 471 new coronavirus cases for the 24-hour period to Friday, with another 11 deaths.

Those living in metropolitan Melbourne are urged to stay at home with only four reasons to leave; to shop for food and essential items, exercise, work or study and medical care or caregiving.

The city is also under a strict 8pm - 5am curfew.

Melbourne’s Lord Mayor Sally Capp said foot traffic in the CBD has plummeted by 90 per cent, showing residents are “doing the right thing”.

“Pedestrian counts are down about 90 per cent compared to this time last year. The city hasn’t been this empty for this long in living memory,” Ms Capp said.

“Since the stage four restrictions started, Melbourne’s streets have been almost deserted.

“This shows Melburnians are doing the right thing and staying home to help slow the spread of the virus.”

A network of 60 pedestrian sensors have been set up across the city under awnings and on light poles and tally the foot traffic on the footpath below.

Before the lockdown, up to one million people per day visited Melbourne city.

According to the city’s figures, the normal count of 36,000 pedestrians at Flinders Street Station has dropped dramatically to 3600 visitors per day.

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While it’s positive news for the fight against coronavirus, it means even tougher conditions for businesses in the CBD.

“This is devastating for our business community and we know that trading conditions are going to continue to be challenging for some time,” Ms Capp said.

“However, the sooner we can flatten these infection numbers by doing the right thing, the sooner we can help businesses open their doors again.”

City traffic grinds to a halt

Earlier this week, Victoria Premier Daniel Andrews shared a series of photos to Twitter showing the city’s once-busy motorways that are now empty.

Accompanying the images was a simple message from the state’s leader: “Thank you”.

The photos are further evidence that residents are following the state’s lockdown rules.

The lockdown is in place for six weeks, with tough penalties imposed for those who breach the restrictions and nightly curfew - a hefty $4,957 fine and possible jail time.

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