World
Melbourne’s ‘Ring of Steel’ Lifted After Strict Lockdown Success
- Melbourne residents will be able to travel to rest of state
- State has recorded no new coronavirus measures for nine days
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Residents of Melbourne will be allowed to travel freely to other areas of Victoria state as the “ring of steel” surrounding the Australian city of five million is set to be lifted following more than a week without new coronavirus cases.
That comes after one of the world’s strictest and longest lockdowns successfully drove down community transmission from a daily peak of around 700 in early August, although with a heavy economic and social toll. Australia’s government estimates 1,200 jobs have been lost on average a day across Victoria state, while demand for mental health services has surged by more than 30%.