Fortunately for people in the affected areas, the risk of infection remains relatively low, and health authorities have responded rapidly to move to contain the virus.
Melbourne in particular has introduced an intensive lockdown, ramping up restrictions as more and more cases were reported this month.
Melbourne residents are no longer allowed to leave their homes unless it’s for grocery shopping, caregiving, exercise or work. Cafes and restaurants that were allowed to reopen weeks ago have again suspended regular services, and are now offering delivery and take-out options only. All beauty services and entertainment venues are also closed.
“We’ve talked about this virus being like a public health bushfire. By putting a ring around metropolitan Melbourne, we’re essentially putting in place a perimeter to protect regional Victorians,” said the state’s premier, Daniel Andrews.
“It’s clear we are on the cusp of our second wave and we cannot let this virus cut through our communities.”
Online applications for permits that will allow residents of Victoria to travel across state lines started on Tuesday night, but the website crashed just 45 minutes after launching as 44,000 people applied, according to Australian national broadcaster ABC.
Melbourne’s response is similar to that followed in China, which managed to get its own domestic epidemic largely under control months ago and has responded to new infection spots with rapid, albeit sometimes draconian, action.
Hong Kong is currently mulling a return to certain restrictions, after weeks of relaxation and a return to normal, and the government has urged people to be vigilant about wearing face masks, exercising social distancing, and public hygiene.
In comments that could equally apply to Hong Kong as much as Australia, Andrews, the Victorian premier, said that “I think a sense of complacency has crept into us as we let our frustrations get the better of us.”
“I think that each one know someone who has not been following the rules as well as they should have. I think each of us know that we have got no choice by to take very, very difficult steps,” he added.
But what if you’re in a country where taking basic steps, let alone difficult ones, to fight the virus is seen as anathema to many people?
If anything, the experience of countries which did have the pandemic under control points to the huge danger of the US attempting a return to normality as the nation still deals with the first wave of the virus.