The state of South Australia is blaming the “selfish actions” of one man for its six-day coronavirus lockdown on outdoor exercising and dog-walking.
New restrictions that went into effect on Thursday permit only one person from each household to leave their homes each day and only for essential reasons. The restrictions shut down schools, universities, cafes and restaurants.
The state had documented 34 active cases Thursday evening after several people were infected in the state capital of Adelaide.
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South Australia state Premier Steven Marshall said at a news conference on Friday that the restrictions went into place following a “lie” to contact tracers, Reuters reported. A man at a pizza bar tied to the outbreak reportedly said he only bought pizza there, when he really worked several shifts with another staffer who contracted the virus.
Authorities thought the man caught the virus during a short exposure, which led them to believe the strain was highly contagious. Marshall said the lockdown would not have happened if the man was being truthful.
“To say I am fuming about the actions of this individual is an absolute understatement,” Marshall reportedly said. “This selfish actions of this individual have put our whole state in a very difficult situation.”
The restrictions will be lifted on Friday, according to Reuters. A stay-at-home order will end at midnight, and most businesses will also be allowed to open at that time.
Australia currently has only 95 active cases of the virus, Reuters notes.