The case for further easing restrictions in Ballarat became stronger on Tuesday when one of the state government's triggers for moving to the third step was ticked off.
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To increase the numbers of businesses allowed to open and visitors allowed in the home, regional areas must record 14 days straight without mystery cases, and the 14-day rolling average of new cases must be below five.
On Tuesday, the number was 4.9.
Keeping that number low and ensuring there are no more cases with an unknown source are the priorities.
The Courier sent several questions to the Victorian Department of Health and Human Services about notifications surrounding these mystery cases, but no response was received by deadline.
Ballarat is among regional areas that will move to the second step at 11.59pm on Sunday - that is, "social bubbles" will be allowed for people living alone, and up to five members from two households will be able to gather outdoors.
But there are calls for areas that have been without cases to jump to the next step if numbers remain low, or to have different districts be treated separately - the third step means outdoor dining, with limits, and several other restrictions eased.
One of the backers of a faster, but still cautious, easing of restrictions is Committee for Ballarat chief executive Michael Poulton.
"If we continue to have numbers going down next Monday, we should be able to move to step three as quickly as possible," he said.
"If you can demonstrate you have the virus under control, you should be able to ease restrictions and allow business to open in accordance with COVID Safe practice."
In a combined statement with the City of Ballarat and Commerce Ballarat, the city's leaders urged the state government to rethink its plan, which was released on Sunday.
"The roadmap does not acknowledge the difference in the spread of the virus in regional Victoria nor our capacity to control its spread," the statement reads.
"The state government's announcements also do not reflect the feedback given as part of the constructive and collaborative roundtable discussions with Regional Development Victoria held across the state last week.
"There were expectations that a more nuanced approach would be afforded to regional Victoria."
Controlling mystery cases will be key to the reopening push - Deakin University's chair in epidemiology, Professor Catherine Bennett, said a renewed focus on testing will eliminate the mystery.
"That person who's invisible, chances are it's then passed on to someone else, and that's why testing is so critical," she said.
"Get tested as early as you can so you're actually in the picture and we know what's going on.
"Asymptomatic people might not be as infectious but they can still pass it on, and that's difficult to deal with - if we're only testing symptomatic people, that's hard.
"What we're finding, and I've heard this anecdotally, is it's a truism of having these public teams working locally, because they can work in these communities and it's a bit more manageable in terms of figuring out who's who."
She warned if mystery cases were found, it would undo the hard work it took to get to this point.
"Otherwise, numbers bounce back up and you have to wait another 14 days to move through the restrictions," she said.
"Testing will help reduce the risk of that becoming a problem and holding regional communities back - testing can help not only contain if there is still virus in the area, but reduces chances of a mystery case, and you don't want one of those."
Remember to always maintain good hand hygiene, wear a mask when in public, and keep a 1.5 metre distance from others at all times.
Right now there are only four reasons to leave your home in Ballarat during stage three restrictions: care and caregiving, local exercise, shopping for necessary items, and for work or study if you are unable to do so from home.
Victoria Police are enforcing restrictions, and penalties apply.
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 at bchc.org.au 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.
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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.
For more information, visit the Victorian Department of Health and Human Services website, or phone the hotline on 1800 675 398 for advice if you are displaying symptoms.
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