Lockdown extended as Australian city tackles coronavirus cluster

Mr Merlino said that “if we let this thing run its course, it will explode”

An empty Swanston Street in Melbourne (Asanka Brendon Ratnayake/AP)

A pandemic lockdown in Australia’s second largest city will be extended for a second week due to concerns over a growing cluster of coronavirus infections.

Victoria state acting premier James Merlino confirmed that Melbourne will remain in lockdown for seven more days from Friday, but pandemic restrictions will be eased elsewhere in the state.