All of greater Melbourne, including Melbourne Airport, were declared a coronavirus hot spot. The state entered a five-day lockdown to respond to the Covid-19 outbreak that has been linked to the Holiday Inn Melbourne Airport quarantine hotel. This measure was put in place Friday.
Following the announcement, Emirates and Etihad Airways are suspending all commercial passenger flights from Dubai and Abu Dhabi to Melbourne. A relaunch is not expected until March.
The five-day lockdown will be enforced across Victoria state to prevent the virus spreading from the state capital, Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews said.
Only international flights that were already in the air when the lockdown was announced will be allowed to land at Melbourne Airport. Schools and many businesses will be closed. Residents are ordered to stay at home except to exercise and for essential purposes.
