After Sydney, it is Melbourne's turn to be re-defined, for the sixth time since the start of the Covid-19 crisis.

This situation, which is starting to weigh heavily psychologically, can be explained in particular by a too slow vaccination campaign.

Australia continues to confine its large cities.

Melbourne is in turn re-confined for the sixth time since the start of the pandemic.

In Sydney, the containment in place for a month and a half extends to neighboring cities.

A situation which can be explained by a too slow vaccination, between a shortage of doses and mistrust of the population.

Indeed, less than 20% of Australians received their two injections.

But this umpteenth restriction is seriously starting to weigh heavily on the morale of the inhabitants.

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"Psychologically, we are facing a wall"

It had only been ten days since the people of Melbourne were deconfined. Barely time to find a little freedom. "I'm fighting just to survive. But when is this going to end?" Reacts Wayne, photographer, who has to stop working for the sixth time. "I have heard of future newlyweds who have to postpone their ceremony a fifth time," he continues. "I think we said to ourselves that our country was lucky, that we were isolated from the rest of the world on our island ... We did not measure the impact of such a slow vaccination campaign."

Living on an island is also what makes these successive confinements wearing out, with the closing of the borders, as explained by Ophélie, a French expatriate for five years.

"I was supposed to go on vacation, it blocks half of the time. Psychologically, we're up against a wall."

Zero-Covid strategy

And yet, there is little contamination in the state of Victoria: six cases for 6 million inhabitants.

But Australia continues to adopt its zero-Covid strategy.

"Australia has been relatively spared," says Daniel Garcia, a doctor at Melbourne Hospital.

"These short confinements have reduced the number of deaths and patients in hospitals. On the other hand, it is certain that they have cost more in terms of mental and economic health."

And in an attempt to avoid too much re-setting, the government has pledged to resolve the vaccine shortage by the end of the year.