Victoria’s acting premier James Merlino has announced that all of Victoria will move into a stage-three lockdown starting at 11:59pm tonight, in a bid to curb growing coronavirus cases.

Lockdown restrictions will remain in place for seven days, lifting on 11:59pm on June 3.

The new restrictions follow a jump in locally-transmitted Covid-19 cases. There are now 34 active cases of Covid-19 in Victoria, with 12 new cases announced overnight.

From tonight, there will only be five reasons why Victorians can leave the home – for food and supplies (within 5km from their house), authorised work, care and caregiving, exercise for up to two hours each day (within 5 km), and getting vaccinated – and individuals must wear a mask when leaving the house at all times.

During the lockdown period, Victorians will not be allowed to have any visitors to their homes, except an intimate partner, while singles can make a “bubble” with one other person.

Restaurants, pubs and cafes will only be allowed to offer takeaway, while hotels, clubs, casinos and entertaininment venues, including swimming pools, community venues, drive-in cinemas and amusements parks, art galleries and museums will all be closed

More to come.