Seven-day lockdown to be imposed in Melbourne over fears of Covid-19 outbreak

According to details, the lockdown will begin at midnight on Thursday (14:00 GMT).

So far 26 people have tested positive for the virus and 150 sites have been identified by the authorities where people may have been exposed to Covid-19.

Victoria's acting Premier James Merlino said the outbreak involved a highly contagious strain of the virus, the B.1.617 variant.

“A returned traveler was infected with the strain, which is spreading faster than we have ever recorded".

Mr. James Merlino said that several primary and secondary cases have been reported prompting government to take immediate actions.

"With 10,000 primary and secondary contacts of cases, with more than 150 exposure sites right around the state of Victoria, we need to act now," Mr Merlino said adding, "If we wait too long, this thing will get away from us."

The latest outbreak has been traced to an overseas traveller who tested negative while in quarantine and later tested positive.