From today, more than 300,000 Melburnians have been forced back to Stage Three restrictions as Victoria struggles to contain the spike in coronavirus cases.

On Wednesday, Victoria’s Premier Daniel Andrews revealed the 10 postcodes and 36 suburbs where restrictions began at midnight last night and will run through to around 29 July.

“Very clearly, we are not where we want to be,” he had said during the announcement.

In some streets, the bizarre lockdown means that houses on one side fall into one postcode while across the road houses enter lockdown.

Small businesses in the affected regions will once again need to face closure and uncertain survival. Mr Andrews said he understood the “very real impact” on businesses and he announced a $5,000 grant to support businesses in these areas.

Testing sites have been set up in 29 locations so far with community health outreach teams continuing their door-knocking appeal.

READ MORE: Victoria’s postcodes which are going into lockdown

Affected suburbs

3012: Brooklyn, Kingsville, Maidstone, Tottenham, West Footscray
3021: Albanvale, Kealba, Kings Park, St Albans
3032: Ascot Vale, Highpoint City, Maribyrnong, Travancore
3038: Keilor Downs, Keilor Lodge, Taylors Lakes, Watergardens
3042: Airport West, Keilor Park, Niddrie
3046: Glenroy, Hadfield, Oak Park
3047: Broadmeadows, Dallas, Jacana
3055: Brunswick South, Brunswick West, Moonee Vale, Moreland West
3060: Fawkner
3064: Craigieburn, Donnybrook, Mickelham, Roxburgh Park, Kalkallo

People in these suburbs can only leave home for:

  • Food and supplies
  • Medical and caregiving
  • Exercise and work
  • Education if it can’t be done from home.

Visitors are not allowed in the homes of these areas, except to receive necessary services or caregivers. They are not allowed to leave for holidays and residents already on holiday will enter restrictions once they return.

READ MORE: Seven Greek Orthodox Churches shut down in Melbourne due to COVID-19

Schools, however, will resume face-to-face classes when Term 3 begins on 13 July.

As of today, police will be on patrol in these hotspots with “zero tolerance” for anyone breaking the guidelines, whereas people in the zones will be randomly pulled up.

Breaching restrictions could cost violators $1,652 in fines or penalties of up to $100,000 for businesses.

The closure of these suburbs does not mean that a statewide lockdown would not take place were this deemed necessary.