Australia has been among the world's most successful nations in containing its COVID-19 outbreak. But, as most of the country emerges from restrictions, the virus has resumed spreading at an alarming rate in Victoria's capital, Melbourne which has been ordered back into lockdown for six weeks starting Wednesday, after the state reported 191 new cases in the past 24 hours, the highest spike in its daily count.

This raises questions about how Melbourne fell so far behind the rest of the country that has recorded about 8,500 cases and only 106 deaths. Most if not all the blame is being directed at lax controls at quarantine centres set up in two Melbourne hotels. Those returning from overseas are required to spend 14 days in strict hotel quarantine. It has been found that the city's expanding outbreak is emerging from hotel quarantine guards and guests.