For the first time in more than two months, there were no Victorian lives lost due to COVID-19 yesterday, according to the health department.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The latest figures show there were 42 new cases confirmed on Monday, slightly more than the 35 detected on Sunday.
However, there were no lives lost for the first time in a 24-hour stretch since July 13.
The Victorian death toll remains at 730 and the national toll at 816.
Updates on regional cases will likely be revealed in Premier Daniel Andrews' press conference later today.
The regional Victorian 14-day average is down to 3.6 and the last mystery case was found on September 1.
Mr Andrews on Monday flagged regional Victoria may move to the "third step" of its roadmap plan as early as this week.
That step, allowing people to leave their homes without restrictions and hospitality businesses to reopen, is triggered if its 14-day average remains below five and no "mystery" cases are recorded.
Barring an uptick in new cases in the 24 hours to Tuesday, Mr Andrews said people could still expect an announcement.
"There won't be a lot of notice," he told reporters on Monday.
"That is preferable in making people wait for another week or so.
"Hopefully we can have very good news for regional Victoria tomorrow (Tuesday)."
IN OTHER NEWS
It came as the Victorian government unveiled a multi-million dollar package to transform footpaths and streets into open-air dining areas after lockdown.
The $290 million package includes $100 million for sole traders who will remain closed or heavily restricted as the state begins to reopen.
Another $100 million will go towards a Melbourne City Recovery Fund to help small to medium businesses set up outdoors, fund COVID-safe events and cultural activities and make physical improvements to the city streetscape.
Under the state government's plan, Melbourne's bars, cafes and restaurants can open for outdoor dining from October 26.
It follows a $3 billion suite of business cash grants, payroll tax deferrals and fee waivers announced on Sunday.
Melbourne will move to its next step of reopening on September 28 if the 14-day average falls to 30-50. It is currently at 54.4.
The city took its first tentative steps out of lockdown on Monday, with those living alone or single parents allowed to have one visitor, outdoor exercise extended to two hours and curfew's start time extended an hour to 9pm.
Have you signed up to The Courier's variety of news emails? You can register below and make sure you are up to date with everything that's happening in Ballarat.