Australia's second-most populous state of Victoria will enter a one-week COVID-19 lockdown, forcing nearly seven million residents to remain indoors except for essential business in a bid to contain the fresh outbreak of coronavirus.

Starting from 11:59 p.m. (1359 GMT) local time Thursday, people will be allowed to leave their homes only for essential work, healthcare, grocery shopping or exercise, Victoria state's Acting Premier James Merlino told reporters in Melbourne.