As Melbourne’s fresh wave of new coronavirus cases emerges, another city far away is going through a similar ordeal.
Beijing, like the state of Victoria, had exceptionally long coronavirus lockdowns compared to other neighbouring regions and cities.
But by early June, it finally looked like China’s capital was in the clear.
The last Beijing resident with COVID-19 was declared healthy and discharged from hospital.
The long-awaited end of bans on karaoke bars, private children’s tutoring and outdoor pools were about to come to an end.
But a new outbreak at a Beijing wholesale food market of more than 200 cases put paid to that, sending many weary residents back indoors.
Meanwhile, the state of Victoria has experienced a similar-sized outbreak during the same period, forcing Premier Daniel Andrews to reintroduce some restrictions.
Here’s how Beijing and Victoria’s responses to their infection spikes compare.
Beijing locked down individual buildings
Forty of Beijing’s giant housing compounds have been locked down, with residents ordered to stay at home.
While Beijing’s Government hasn’t put a number on how many people are affected by the order, it’s likely to be in excess of 100,000 residents.
Non-residents are barred from entering.
But the vast majority of the city’s 20 million people are still able to go out and about, with most compounds implementing mandatory temperature checks and registration for visitors.
In Melbourne, the State Government has not ruled out imposing stay-at-home restrictions on the six local government areas most affected, saying such orders are under active consideration.
But authorities wish to first assess new infection numbers for the next few weeks and are appealing for residents