Regional Victoria's active COVID-19 infections have decreased significantly on a day Victoria recorded just one new case.
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Premier Daniel Andrews confirmed there are now just three cases in the regions - all in Greater Shepparton - with four people recovering in the Mitchell Shire in the past 24 hours. Regional Victoria previously had seven active infections for a number of days.
There are now 122 active infections across the state, which looks set for another big easing announcement on Sunday.
Mr Andrews said the state was "well placed" to further ease more restrictions in Melbourne slated for November 2 a week early, after several restrictions were either reduced or ended on Monday.
"It's important we see this thing off properly. Sunday can be a day where we'll have more to say," Mr Andrews said, ruling out the possibility of hospitality reopening in time for the AFL grand final on Saturday.
"No one game of footy, no one barbecue or dinner with friends is worth all that can be on offer in a COVID-safe summer and a COVID-safe and COVID-normal 2021."
Victoria has reported only one new coronavirus case, but Mr Andrews said it may actually be zero depending on further investigation.
"That one new case previously tested positive and there's a further investigation underway to determine whether that is, in fact, an active case or whether that person is shedding the virus," he told reporters.
Two cases were originally reported earlier today by the Department of Health and Human Resources but have since confirmed the other case has a Victorian address but is quarantining interstate after returning from overseas.
There have been no further deaths in Victoria.
In other good news, Melbourne's 14-day rolling average of new cases dropped below seven to 6.4 (and 0.4 for regional Victoria) and the number of mystery cases in the city also fell by two to 13.
The latest infection figures come as the state government is reportedly looking at scaling back its trouble-plagued hotel quarantine program and using electronic monitoring devices for some returned travellers.
The use of such devices was being considered as one way of making sure returned travellers are isolating, The Age reported on Tuesday.
Prominent lawyer and human rights advocate Julian Burnside, the president of Liberty Victoria, said he backed electronic monitoring as an alternative to hotel quarantine.
"It seems to me the idea is a good one, as long as it saves people from something worse," he told ABC radio.
"I don't like the idea of electronic monitoring, but if it's an infringement of individual liberties for the purpose of making the country safer, which is the case, then I think it's justifiable.
"If it saves you the horror of being locked up in a hotel room for two weeks, then I think it's justifiable as well."
Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews has reassured Melburnians they won't have to wait until 2021 before they can travel to regional areas.
IN OTHER NEWS
A so-called "ring of steel" separating metropolitan Melbourne from regional Victoria remains in place despite an easing in coronavirus restrictions in the city on Sunday night.
Mr Andrews wants that restriction and others eased before Christmas, but the premier has yet to commit to a date.
Shepparton and Kilmore have been mopping up outbreaks in recent weeks after a COVID-positive truck driver from Melbourne stopped in the regional centres.
Even as COVID-19 case numbers narrow, the premier said feedback from regional Victorians was clear.
"They don't want a situation where that's put at risk by people making trips to into regional Victoria that aren't absolutely necessary," Mr Andrews said.
The premier also on Monday conceded New Zealanders can enter Victoria despite the state not signing up to be a part of a trans-Tasman travel bubble negotiated by the federal government.
Mr Andrews maintains the federal government did not inform him New Zealanders arriving in Sydney were entitled to travel beyond the participating states of NSW, ACT and the Northern Territory.
The Victorian Department of Health and Human Services' website has now been updated to accommodate the new situation.
Meanwhile, people living in Melbourne can now travel 25km from home and have greater freedom when it comes to social activities and exercise.
Hairdressers and other industries can also operate for the first time in months.
A further death on Monday took the state's death toll to 817 and the national figure to 905.
-AAP
