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In pictures - Melbourne becomes world’s most locked down city
Today, Melbourne becomes the world’s most locked down city. This gallery offers a glimpse of how The Age’s photographers saw it. Many photos are haunting, others hopeful.
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Protests were a feature of Melbourne's prolonged lockdowns by September, 2021. On Friday September 24 the protests, and those policing them, reached Northcote Plaza, bemusing some of the regular shoppers.Credit:Luis Enrique Ascui
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As the lockdown wore on, some performers, like comedian Simon Taylor, got even more desperate for an audience. He took part of his Melbourne Fringe Festival show to give one-on-one performances for picnickers on September 23, 2021.Credit:Eddie Jim
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A veteran bemoans the events unfolding on September 22, 2021, at the protest at the Shrine of Remembrance.Credit:Jason South
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Thousands of people angry about vaccinations and lockdowns shut down parts of the city and descended on the Shrine of Remembrance before being forced out by riot police. Credit:Jason South
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Victoria Police end the Shrine protest. Credit:Jason South
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Thousands of people angry about vaccinations and lockdowns shut down parts of the city and descended on the Shrine of Remembrance before being forced out by riot police. Credit:Jason South
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Not all tradies were protesting. This photograph, taken as some were marching in protest against vaccination, shows warehouse worker Daniel Matcham getting the jab at a vaccine clinic in Hoppers Crossing. Credit:Jason South
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Healthcare workers and the hospital system are under serious pressure as the lockdown, and the pandemic, roll on. Yasmine is sitting outside the Intensive Care Unit of her hospital, where she is caring for COVID patients. Credit:Jason South
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Brett Sutton's daily appearances made him a lockdown star, to the extent that some enterprising people sold his images on soft furnishings.Credit:RedBubble
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Kevin and Pauline Davis had been stuck in Albury at the closed Victoria-NSW border in August, 2021, unable to cross. With Tilly the dog, they were waiting for a week. Mr Davis celebrated his 79th birthday there.Credit:JASON ROBINS
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In July 2021, the Cohealth clinic in Victoria Street, Melbourne, started a pop-up Covid-19 vaccination clinic for the homeless and disadvantaged. Simon was one of the first recipients.Credit:Chris Hopkins
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Every day Chris caught the train to the city for work. Under lockdown, he, like many others, is working from home. He sportingly agreed to head to Officer train Station in his new work attire in July, 2021. Credit:Luis Enrique Ascui
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First day back at work. After three months off work with a back injury, Daniel Andrews examined the Metro tunnel on June 28, 2021.Credit:Asanka Ratnayake/Getty Images
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Lockdown has been especially tough for the young. Saskia Peachey, who turned 22 in July 2021, lives alone. In 2020's lockdown she became an organiser helping others through similar situations.Credit:Justin McManus
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In May, 2021, local football teams were trying to take the field between lockdowns. But because they'd lost condition over the 2020 season, many players were getting injured and teams were struggling for a full complement. Credit:Paul Rovere
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Stacey Binnion, 29, was pictured half way through her stint in hotel quarantine at the Tullamarine Holiday Inn in April, 2021. She had just returned from Paris to visit her family and friends after being separated for 18 months.Credit:Jason South
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A few days after his fall, Daniel Andrews posted a photo on Twitter. It was unclear at this point he would be out of action for months.Credit:Twitter
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James Merlino was forced to step in suddenly as acting Premier on March 9, 2021 when Daniel Andrews fell. He stepped in to a press conference launching an Australian-first inquiry – known as the Yoo-rrook Justice Commission – into the wrongs committed against Aboriginal people.Credit:Simon Schluter
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The 2021 Australian Open was highly controversial. Players were allowed into the country when many others were not. There was also fear of an outbreak. But, played before empty stands, the tournament was a success.Credit:Eddie Jim
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The state government lost two public servants and a minister, Health Minister Jenny Mikakos, at the hotel quarantine inquiry into failures in the early stages of the pandemic. Mikakos gave evidence in September 2020.Credit:Screen grab