Coronavirus divide: Aussie states open up as Victoria faces plunge back into lockdown

Victorians are this morning rushing to testing clinics amid fears of a second wave of coronavirus infections.

Queues have already begun forming at testing clinics in the state's hotspots as people try to avoid lengthy delays experienced yesterday after thousands flocked to be tested, with some turned away as facilities ran out of capacity.

The testing site at Chadstone shopping centre reportedly already shut down by 8.20am due to the influx of people.

Victorians are now contemplating the prospect of a return to tougher lockdowns after another 17 new infections on Tuesday took the state's total active cases to about 140.

READ MORE: Six Melbourne hotspots residents are being asked to avoid

The origins of 11 of these are still being investigated.

Early reports say grocery stores in COVID-19 hotspots have also experienced a spike in demand for toilet paper, prompting fears of a return to panic-buying.

By contrast, new cases in NSW have only risen by 19 in the past week.

Meanwhile, other states around the country which have successfully suppressed the coronavirus will soon allow their residents a taste of pre-pandemic-style freedom.

READ MORE: Where to get tested for coronavirus in Victoria: people wait hours to take tests amid rampant delays

South Australia will join Western Australia at the weekend in halving the density rules for people in restaurants, bars, shops and other indoor venues to two square metres per patron.

The move, which effectively doubles the capacity of each venue, has been welcomed across the hospitality industry in particular.

Victorian Authorities attribute spike to family gatherings

Authorities have largely pinned the spike in cases on large family gatherings.

Health Minister Greg Hunt said governments were working with non-English speaking communities to better communicate how to stop the virus from spreading.

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews warned people could not pretend the virus has gone.

READ MORE: What you can and can't do in Victoria following the spike in coronavirus cases

"It doesn't matter how many people are doing the wrong thing - everybody, everybody will pay the price if we get to a point where restrictions either localised or across the state need to be re-introduced," he said.

The NSW premier has warned people from that state should not visit Melbourne and nor should Victorians head north.

"I call on all organisations not to interact with citizens from Melbourne at this stage," Gladys Berejiklian said.

The national tally of cases is 7492, with close to 7000 recovered while 102 people have died.

It has been a month since the last recorded coronavirus death in Australia.

- AAP

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