Victorians' confidence 'completely stripped away'
Tony Jones has made an emotional plea on behalf of Melburnians just hours ahead of a new six-week coronavirus lockdown, insisting the city feels "completely ostracised" from the rest of Australia.
The 9News Melbourne sports presenter told Today Victorians' confidence has been completely stripped away as Melbourne prepares to enter a second lockdown.
Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews made the announcement that Melbourne will re-establish stage three restrictions from midnight tonight after Victorians had become "complacent" with COVID-19 restrictions.
READ MORE: Victorians shut out by 1000km NSW border
The entirety of metropolitan Melbourne and Mitchell Shire will be locked down for six weeks from tomorrow midnight. Graphic: Tara Blancato
The six-week lockdown follows on the heels of a hard NSW – Victorian border closure which came into effect at midnight in a bid to slow the spread of the virus.
As Victoria is cut off from the rest of the country, Jones said residents feel "dirty".
"It's upsetting, it is demoralising, we feel as though we have been completely ostracised from the rest of Australia," he told Today.
Tony Jones made an emotional plea on behalf of Melburnians this morning. Today
"We feel cheap and dirty I have to say," he said.
"Any confidence that we were regaining on the back of the first lockdown was just stripped away yesterday."
Jones also refuted Mr Andrews' claim complacency is to blame and said the comments were like "a slap in the face".
Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews speak to the media on July 07, 2020 in Melbourne, Australia. Victoria will go into further six week lockdown effective from 11:59 Wednesday 8 July after the state recorded its highest daily increase since the epidemic began, with 191 cases recorded in the latest 24-hour reporting period. Getty
"Daniel Andrews stuffed this up not the people of Victoria," he said.
"Daniel Andrews not only slapped us in lockdown but he's slapped us across the face as well by saying effectively it's our fault," he said."Well, Daniel here is the thing mate, it's not our fault. Right. It's not our fault.
"The people of Victoria are getting sick and tired of having to burden the load here because of you stuffing up."
'This is not about blaming anyone'
Appearing on Today Mr Andrews insisted the lockdown was necessary.
"It's not about blaming Victorians, but all of us have a part to play and all of us have to be focussed on those things we can influence," he said.
READ MORE: Daniel Andrews 'furious' over Victoria's escalating coronavirus crisis
Daniel Andrews vowed to make the tough decisions on Today. Today
"If you're sick you can't go out. If you're sick you have to get tested. The rules are there to protect us.
"We all have to follow the rules. That's not about blaming anyone.
"No-one wanted to be in this position. People are furious. I'm furious, but we can't change what has occurred."
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