Victoria has recorded four more COVID-19 cases on the first day of its seven-day lockdown, bringing the total case of the Whittlesea cluster to 30. This is the fourth lockdown of the state in 15 months. It is also longer and more widespread than the one in mid-February, which lasted for five days. The Victorian government has been pushing the blame for the lockdown to the federal government. James Merlino, the acting Premier of Victoria, blamed the federal government for the latest outbreak on Thursday, saying that there was no hotel quarantine alternative and efficient vaccination for the state. “If we had an alternative to hotel quarantine for this particular variant of concern, we would not be here today,” Merlino said. “If we had the Commonwealth’s vaccine program effectively rolled out, we may well not be here today.” Prime Minister Scott Morrison, who supported the state to build another 500-bed …