Coronavirus in Victoria: Active regional cases down to 102, with Dan Andrews saying just two are in Ballarat

He also said the number of cases in regional Victoria had fallen to 102 active cases. According to Mr Andrews, these include just two in Ballarat.

He said there were 23 in Colac, 21 active cases in Greater Geelong, six in Bendigo and two in Ballarat, where he said there were no new cases.

"These numbers show those [regional] communities we had significant concern about some weeks ago when there were more than 500 cases in regional Victoria with a concentration in Geelong, Ballarat, Bendigo region - these numbers have come right off and we are very pleased with that," he said on Saturday morning.

Mr Andrews said the number of new cases across the state still presented "a really significant challenge" for health authorities.

The premier is on Sunday expected to reveal how and when Melbourne and regional Victoria will come out of respective stage four and three lockdowns.

Victoria reported 11 more COVID-19 deaths and 76 additional diagnoses on Saturday, as anti-lockdown protesters were arrested in violent clashes with police at Melbourne's Shrine of Remembrance.

Mr Andrews said discussions would continue well into Saturday evening about the plan for Victoria's coronavirus recovery.

"Those decisions have not been finalised yet," he said, giving only a framework of what will be included.

"We will outline what we will be doing in regional Victoria, what we will be doing in metro Melbourne, a time sequence, a series of triggers - all of which will be designed not to keep people locked in for a moment longer than they need to be, but instead to ease out of these restrictions in a steady and safe way."

Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton said case numbers were slowly heading in the right direction and there was light at the end of the tunnel for the state.

"We are on the winning stretch now, there's no question," he said.

"This is the last gasp of the virus, and we need to work harder than maybe we've ever done before to make sure that that last gasp is, indeed, the last one.

"If we can do everything that's required now, we will drive those numbers down and we will get to a point where we can keep them down."

Saturday's statistics, which include a further 10 deaths linked to aged care outbreaks, take Victoria's death toll to 661 and the national count to 748.

There are 1956 active cases in the state, a drop from Friday's figure of 2,060.

Mr Andrews said if the state were to open up with current numbers there would be an explosion of cases and hundreds, if not thousands, of deaths.

He described anti-lockdown protesters as selfish and urged people to adhere to restrictions on community movement.

"The only protest we should be engaged in, the only argument ... we should be engaged in is against this virus," said.

A man who punched police at protest at the Shrine of Remembrance on Saturday was one of more than 20 people arrested at the scene.

Up to 300 people gathered at the Shrine.

Police are on standby for a number of protests across Victoria after plans were aired to challenge the state's strict lockdown rules which include an 8pn to 5am curfew and limited travel and time away from home.

Four men were earlier arrested and charged with incitement over the Freedom Day rally planned for several inner-Melbourne locations, including the Shrine.

WHERE TO TAKE A COVID-19 TEST IN BALLARAT

Everyone who feels even the slightest cold or flu-like symptom must assume they have the virus until a test result proves otherwise. Anybody with symptoms or awaiting a result should self-isolate at home.

• If you have cold or flu-like symptoms, make an appointment either online or by phone (4311 1571) to take a test at Lucas Community Hub. Tests are by appointment only.
• There is now a testing site at the Ballarat Senior Citizens Centre in the CBD. People are encouraged to book a test by calling 1800 054 172.
• A testing site has also opened at the BHS public dental site in Sebastopol, phone 5320 8889
• A drive-through swabbing clinic, for symptomatic and asymptomatic people, has opened at the old Atlantic Hotel on Skipton Street in Redan - people will require a referral from their GP or specialist, but will not require an appointment.
• AFFECTED BY THIS STORY?Support is available. You are never alone.
• Lifeline 13 11 14
• Beyond Blue 1300 224 636 or beyondblue.org.au
• Suicide Callback Service: 1300 659 467
• Mensline: 1300 789 978 or mensline.org.au
• Survivors of Suicide: 0449 913 535
• Relationships Australia: 1800 050 321
• headspace Ballarat (for 12-25s and parent support): 5304 4777
• Soldier On: 1300 620 380
• Ballarat Community Health: 5338 4500
• QLife: 1800 184 527 (Support for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and intersex people)
• Family violence: 1800 RESPECTVeterans support: If you or someone you know needs support call Open Arms on 1800 011 046 - 24 hours a day, seven days a week or visit www.openarms.gov.au
• For Aboriginal crisis support: Yarning SafeNStrong, 1800 959 563 (noon to 10pm)

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