Regional Victoria has taken another key step towards a major easing of COVID-19 restrictions.
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There were no new coronavirus cases confirmed in the regions in the 24 hours up until midnight last night, while 51 were found in Melbourne.
The 14-day rolling average of new daily cases has dropped to 4.5 in regional Victoria, well below the threshold of five that is needed to advance to the 'third step' of the recovery roadmap.
However, there were still 11 mystery cases in the two weeks up until September 6 (the latest data currently available).
There also needs to be zero mystery cases in the regions for two weeks in order to advance to the 'third step'.
In Ballarat, there are no longer any active cases.
In Geelong there is 11 and in Bendigo there are two.
In Colac, the only current regional outbreak, there are 29 active cases, down from 30 yesterday.
There are 72 across regional Victoria in total.
Premier Daniel Andrews said regional Victoria was in a great position to potentially take two steps at once, when official stage three restrictions ease at 11.59pm on Sunday.
"In the regions we are very close to being able to take substantial steps towards a COVID normal," he said.
"They are quite close to not just taking one step, but two.
"It's the collective efforts of millions of people doing their part.
"That sacrifice must count for something and opening up too soon would mean it will count for nothing."
If regional Victoria was to advance to the 'third step', people will be able to live a more social life, although many businesses will still be severely impacted.
Travel restrictions within regional Victoria will be eased, reasons to leave home removed and larger outdoor gatherings allowed.
The key changes include:
- No restrictions on reasons to leave home
- Gatherings of up to 10 people outdoors
- You can have five visitors to your home, although they must from the one household that has been selected as your 'household bubble'. Your 'household bubble' cannot change. Infants under 12 months are not included in this figure.
- Outdoor hospitality venues will be able to open but with group limits of 10, as well as other density rules
- Accommodation venues to open, but with household bubble restrictions
- Weddings: allowed with up to 10 people (including the couple, two witnesses and celebrant).
- Funerals: allowed with up to 20 people (not including infants under 12 months of age or people required to conduct the funeral).
- Religion: outdoor religious gatherings for up to 10 people plus a faith leader are allowed, facilities open for private worship for households or social bubbles, plus a faith leader
- Real estate: private inspections by appointment only, auctions outdoors subject to gathering limits.
- Exercise: Outdoor contact and non-contact sport for under-18, outdoor non-contact sport only for adults, with gathering and density limits, outdoor skateparks open, outdoor fitness for 10 people.
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