However, many parts of metropolitan Melbourne were living under these together restrictions for the past four weeks.

Narelle Janetzki, born and bred in Horsham, now lives in the City of Casey, one of six local government areas locked down due to a surge in community transmissions.

The timing could not have been worse for Ms Janetzki.

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"The past couple of months have been very difficult for me," she said.

"I tragically lost my son before Christmas last year, and I have not been home to Horsham since the funeral.

"I've had no chance to see my parents. I'm still getting over it myself too."

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Ms Janetzki said the inability to travel to Horsham, due to the strict rules on travel for residents of the City of Casey, has put a lot of pressure on her.

"It has been damn horrible," she said.

"Mentally, I'm not coping, but I have to suck it up.

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"I had planned on going to see my parents in June, but that fell in a hole because my mother was taken to hospital.

"I was to go in July, but new COVID restrictions prevented me from coming down again.

"This is horrible. I can't travel anywhere. I am locked down in Melbourne."

With limited public transport options, Ms Janetzki was forced to drive 90 minutes into the city for work.

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Meanwhile, she was seeing daily television reports of people defying social distancing recommendations.

"For people to be so non-compliant with the restrictions was frustrating," she said.

"Seeing people flouting the rules on the news is frustrating.

"People who don't want to stay at home make it difficult for the rest of us.

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"I just want to get home to my family, but I may not see them until Christmas at the rate we're going."

Ms Janetzki said she had no family in the area, and some family members cannot use the Internet to keep in touch.

"Some of my family members don't have facebook, so I can't do video calls or instant messaging. Only phone calls," she said.

"I've had the odd video call with my parents.

"I do want to get home.

"I just have to play each day as it comes."

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