Coronavirus: What's to blame for the second wave sweeping Victoria

Complacency is partly to blame for the second wave of coronavirus Victoria is currently experiencing, according to an infectious disease expert. In the past 24 hours, there have been 75 new cases reported in the state.

Professor Peter Collignon, of the Australian National University, says most of the new cases had spread from people going to work or family functions despite being unwell.

"We need to take more personal responsibility," he told A Current Affair.

He said people needed to keep abiding by social distancing measures and wearing face masks or face shields.

"We're going to live with this for the next two years. This virus isn't going away," Professor Collignon said.

"We won't have two months of uncontrolled spread like New York and London had, but we can easily get an upswing and if we don't do the right things that upswing will continue."

Closing state borders would do little to stop the spread, he said. According to the professor, enforcing basic rules would be "much more effective" in the fight against COVID-19.