Disaster declared in Australian state as coronavirus cases rise

Daniel Andrews said 671 new Covid-19 cases had been detected since Saturday, including seven deaths.

Passengers queue to check in for flights to Queensland at Sydney Domestic Airport on Friday. Photo: James Gourley/AAP

The premier of Australia’s hard-hit Victoria state has declared a disaster as he imposed sweeping new coronavirus restrictions across Melbourne and elsewhere.

An evening curfew will be implemented across Melbourne from 8pm to 5am, Daniel Andrews said, as the state of disaster proclamation gave police greater power.