More than 13 million Australians - about half the population - are in lockdown after a third state imposed restrictions to curb a Delta outbreak. South Australia, home to 1.7 million people, joined Victoria and parts of New South Wales in lockdown on Tuesday.
Its residents will endure seven days at home after five infections were found.
Anger in Australia is growing over the lockdown strategy, with the two biggest cities Sydney and Melbourne facing uncertainty over when they will open. Lockdowns have been highly policed to ensure compliance with rules. Until recently, Australia had been largely praised for its strategy of border closures, quarantine programmes and snap lockdowns. It has had fewer than 1,000 Covid deaths.
But the rapid spread of the highly contagious Delta variant has created new challenges and exposed Australia's poor vaccination rate. Residents must not leave their homes except for grocery shopping, exercise and other essential reasons. Construction sites and specialty retail stores have also been closed.
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