Australia recorded its deadliest day in the Covid-19 pandemic with at least 13 deaths and more than 700 new infections mainly in Victoria state.
Victoria state has since ordered all residents to wear face coverings outside. The toll takes the country's total fatalities from coronavirus to 189, more than half of which have occurred in the second-most popular state of Victoria and its capital Melbourne, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said.
Australia had prided itself on rapidly containing the initial Covid-19 outbreak but a second wave which began in Victoria last month has forced Melbourne back into lockdown and sparked outbreaks in other areas including Sydney. "We've now been in this lockdown (in Melbourne) for some weeks and we are not