End in sight for hard lockdown of Melbourne towers with all residents tested for coronavirus

The testing of residents at Melbourne's locked-down public housing towers has finished, with the health department to reveal whether there are more cases.

Police are seen enforcing a lockdown at public housing towers on Racecourse Road in Flemington, Melbourne.

Police are seen enforcing a lockdown at public housing towers on Racecourse Road in Flemington, Melbourne. Source: AAP

All 3,000 residents in Melbourne's nine locked-down public housing towers have been tested for coronavirus.

"The testing will be completed tonight. We will have those results by tomorrow and will let you know what they mean for you," the health department said in a statement late on Wednesday night.

"Until we have those results and develop a clear plan to support anyone who tests positive or is a close contact, you will need to remain in your home."

Support services, food and medical care are still available.
The residents at the Flemington and North Melbourne towers have been in a hard lockdown since Saturday afternoon, unable to leave their apartments due to a COVID-19 outbreak.

Two new cases were tied to the outbreak on Wednesday and four old cases were reclassified for a total of 75 infections.

The lockdown order is in place for 14 days but Premier Daniel Andrews was "very confident" all residents would be tested by Wednesday.

"I again say to every single resident in those towers, you will be under these restrictions for not a moment longer than you need to be," he said.
Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews addresses the media during a press conference in Melbourne, Sunday, June 28, 2020.
Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews addresses the media during a press conference in Melbourne, Sunday, June 28, 2020. Source: AAP
Occupants of the towers were yet to be given the green light to join the rest of the city in stage three restrictions, which will last six weeks.

They will then be able to leave their homes to get food and supplies, receive or provide care, exercise, and attend study or work if they can't from home.

Despite having a dedicated laboratory to process tests for those in the towers, not all residents have got their results back.

Father-of-five Abdiraham Ibrahim has been waiting since Monday for his coronavirus test result despite his wife's already having come back negative.

"Some other people are waiting four days for the results," he told AAP.

The City of Melbourne has also created its own pandemic plans for public housing towers in Carlton and Kensington.

Other public housing in the state has been deep cleaned and processes, such as the provision of hand sanitiser, double-checked, Mr Andrews said.

Residents in Melbourne public housing towers who need access to support and assistance should call the Housing Call Centre on 1800 961 054. If you need a translator, first call 131 450. Both services are 24/7. More information can be found

People in Australia must stay at least 1.5 metres away from others. Check your state’s restrictions on gathering limits. If you are experiencing cold or flu symptoms, stay home and arrange a test by calling your doctor or contact the Coronavirus Health Information Hotline on 1800 020 080. News and information is available in 63 languages at


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3 min read
Published 9 July 2020 6:02am
Updated 9 July 2020 6:25am



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