Victoria’s sixth lockdown will be extended, said Victoria’s Premier Daniel Andrews on Sunday, while 73 new cases were recorded on Monday, including 21 mystery infections.

On Sunday, there were 92 new cases, and there are currently 805 cases across the state.

The lockdown was initially expected to end on Thursday, however the stay-at-home orders may drag on until mid-November when Victoria is expected to reach the 80 per cent figure for full vaccination.

Melbourne has been crippled by lockdowns with 211 days in hard lockdown, whereas what was supposed to be a week-long snap ‘circuit breaker’ is now in its 26th day.

Mr Andrews said, “We acted early, but I’m not here to tell people this is easy, it’s not, it’s bloody hard.”

READ MORE: Lockdown extension confirmed for Victoria

The Opposition said that the state was being held “hostage” to a zero-case strategy, whereas the Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry Chief Executive Paul Guerra pointed to businesses in crisis and called for a road map out of lockdown which was “realistic and full of hope”. One suggestion, Mr Guerra said, would be to reopen municipalities that were COVID-free, 24-hour vaccination hubs and bringing kids back to school.

“We are on track to have 70 per cent of people with their first jab in mid-October,” Mr Guerra said. “Why don’t we be bold and declare that from Caulfield Cup day and beyond crowds at race days can be at 50 per cent?”

READ MORE: How long we stay in lockdown is based on the choices people make, says Daniel Andrews

Media reports on Monday state that a “glimmer of hope” may be offered as the state government considers reopening playgrounds and allowing year 12 students back into the classroom. These are options being discussed, according to The Age.

 

Reported yesterday: 73 new local cases and no new cases acquired overseas.
– 26,702 vaccine doses were administered
– 41,395 test results were received
More later: https://t.co/lIUrl1hf3W#COVID19Vic #COVID19VicData [1/2] pic.twitter.com/lQxcfi9yEW

— Victorian Department of Health (@VicGovDH) August 29, 2021