Photos: Melbourne in lockdown after record Covid-19 surge in Victoria

Australia's second-largest city Melbourne has entered the country's toughest lockdown yet with new coronavirus rules put into place for six weeks. While the rest of Australia continues to see only a handful of new infections daily, Melbourne -- with its population of around five million -- is still recording hundreds per day. On August 5, Australia saw its deadliest day of the pandemic to date, with 15 coronavirus deaths and a record 725 new cases in the state of Victoria alone, of which Melbourne is the capital.

Updated on: Aug 06, 2020 6:30 PM IST

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Mas Azemi of Mas Barber Shop closes his shop on August 5 in Melbourne, Australia. Retail stores across Melbourne closed to customers from 11:59 pm on August 5 as further stage 4 lockdown restrictions were enforced in response to Victoria's ongoing COVID-19 outbreak. Victoria set a new daily record of 725 new cases on August 5. Elsewhere in Australia, only 14 new infections were found. (Darrian Traynor / Getty Images)

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Pedestrians walk away from the central business district as lockdown starts in Melbourne on August 5. Melbourne is now looking at a six-week total lockdown with the closure of most shops and businesses raising fresh concerns over food shortages as authorities battle a second wave of coronavirus infections. (Asanka Brendon Ratnayake / AP)

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A sign on a truck warns people to stay home in Melbourne on August 5. Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews urged Melbourne residents, who have already endured weeks of less severe lockdown since early July, to stay calm amid a surge in demand at supermarkets. (William West / AFP)

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Police officers and soldiers patrol Treasury Gardens as they enforced strict lockdown laws in Melbourne on August 5. After closing its international borders early, locking down cities and launching a campaign of mass virus testing, Australia had reopened in June with daily cases in the single figures. (William West / AFP)

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A medical staff holds up an infrared thermometer while screening people in Melbourne on August 6. Hidden transmissions among staff at quarantine centres however, led to wider community transmissions in Victoria, which has recorded triple-digit new cases for weeks, Reuters reported. (Andy Brownbill / AP)

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A department store employee wheels clothes across the Bourke Street Mall as retail businesses prepare to close their doors to walk-in customers on August 5. Australia has now recorded almost 20,000 COVID-19 cases and 255 fatalities, of which Victoria accounts for the bulk at just over 13,000. (Asanka Brendon Ratnayake / AP)

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Two commuters wearing face shields are seen as they travel by tram during lockdown in Melbourne on August 5. Residents are still allowed to go out during the daytime for exercise and food, or for work if their business is deemed essential. (Asanka Brendon Ratnayake / AP)

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A builder works a on a construction site during lockdown due to the continuing spread of the coronavirus in Melbourne on August 6. Prime Minister Scott Morrison has warned the latest lockdown would cost the Australian economy -- facing its first recession in three decades -- up to US$9 billion and push the unemployment rate back to 13% after a slight recovery. (Andy Brownbill / AP)