Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews has been slammed for blaming families for a spike in COVID-19 cases, which saw the state return to strict lockdown measures.
The Premier announced the lifting of restrictions would be halted until July 12 after Victoria recorded 25 new coronavirus cases on Saturday.
Opposition Leader Michael O'Brien said Mr Andrews had reached a 'new political low'.
'Under Daniel Andrews, Victoria is the COVID capital of the country.
For Daniel Andrews to blame that on Victorian families - rather than his own incompetence - is an absolute disgrace,' he said on Saturday.
Opposition leader Michael O'Brien slammed Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews (pictured) for blaming families over the state's recent spike in coronavirus cases
Mr Andrews said families gathering (file image pictured) were mainly responsible for the spike which caused him to halt the lifting of coronavirus restrictions on Saturday
'Victorians believed Daniel Andrews when he promised them his harsh lockdown restrictions would ease on Monday.
Now Daniel Andrews has broken that promise and he has betrayed Victorians.'
'To blame Victorian families for https://set-magazine.com/best-weight-lifting-belt/ his betrayal of them shows that Daniel Andrews is simply not fit to lead Victoria,' Mr O'Brien said.
Mr Andrews on Saturday said Victorian families were mainly responsible for the coronavirus spike.
'The experts tell us that, largely, the numbers are being driven by families - families having big get-togethers and not following the advice around distancing and hygiene.'
Mr Andrews said about half of the state's cases since the end of April have come from transmission inside someone's home.
'You can see how this could happen. People feeling relaxed at home.
Letting their guard down. Letting old habits creep back,' he said.
Mr O'Brien also criticised Mr Andrews for failing to name the recent Black Lives Matter protest as a cause of the spike.
Mr O'Brien (pictured) also attacked Mr Andrews for failing to name the recent Black Lives Matter protests as a cause of the spike in Victoria's coronavirus cases
'Daniel Andrews encouraged 10,000 Victorians to protest two weeks ago by promising that they would not be fined for attending.
'For Andrews to fail to mention the impact of his 10,000 people protest on the spike in COVID-19 cases demonstrates his culpability,' Mr O'Brien said.
He called for coronavirus restrictions to be eased in rural parts of the state.
'Regional Victoria, where there are hardly any COVID-19 cases, is being unfairly punished by Labor's Melbourne-centric focus.
'There is again a strong case for an easing of restrictions in country Victoria that enables people to safely get back to work,' Mr O'Brien explained.
Mr Andrews on Saturday stalled the easing of lockdown restrictions and rolled back the number of guests allowed to gather at houses to five.
The Premier also said he had spoken to Prime Minister Scott Morrison about the possibility of reintroducing a stay at home order to ensure Victorians follow the rules.
'As we've seen across the world, this virus has the ability to turn a few cases into hundreds in a matter of days,' Mr Andrews said.
'That's why we need to delay an increase to gathering limits in businesses and community facilities.'
Restaurants, pubs, auction halls, community halls, libraries, museums and places of worship in Victoria will stay at a maximum of 20 people in one space until July 12.
They were scheduled to increase capacity from 20 people to 50 on Monday. Pictured: Cafes in Melbourne's Centre Place open for dine in customers on June 1
The planned reopening of gyms, cinemas, theatres and TABs on Monday will still go ahead, capped to a maximum of 20 people
Restaurants, pubs, auction halls, community halls, libraries, museums and places of worship will stay at a maximum of 20 people in one space until July 12.
They were scheduled to increase capacity from 20 people to 50 on Monday.
The planned reopening of gyms, cinemas, theatres and TABs on Monday will still go ahead, capped to a maximum of 20 people.
From midnight on Sunday, the number of visitors in a house will be reduced from 20 to five.
Outside, people will only be allowed to gather in groups of 10 - a decrease from 20.
Outside of the house, Victorians will only be allowed to gather in groups of 10.
Pictured: Beachgoers are seen at St Kilda Beach in Melbourne
Premier Daniel Andrews on Saturday announced the lifting of restrictions would be halted until July 12, while some would be tightened
