The Department of Health Human Services update on Saturday showed the Melbourne 14-day average had also dropped further to 0.9, down from 1.3.

There remain two mystery cases in Melbourne, with regional areas without mystery deaths for some time.

This is now the longest-running stretch the state health authorities have had without any new coronavirus cases or deaths since February when the impact of the pandemic first began to be felt on the country.

Victoria now has only significantly fewer active COVID-19 cases than New South Wales, and there are no active cases in aged care homes, one of the most vulnerable sectors.

It comes ahead of a further relaxing of restrictions on Sunday evening.

The "ring of steel" around Melbourne is due to come down at 11.59pm tomorrow (Sunday), and there is speculation other measures may ease.

IN OTHER NEWS

Monday will see the resumption of direct flights from New Zealand - the first international flights into Melbourne since June 30.

Ahead of the resumption of international arrivals, a long-awaited report has suggested improvements to the state's quarantine program.

Among the hotel quarantine inquiry's 69 recommendations is that overseas travellers returning to Victoria should be able to quarantine at home, potentially with an electronic ankle or wrist bracelet to track movements and enforce compliance.

Home quarantine candidates would need to have regular COVID-19 tests during the 14-day period and face penalties if found in breach, the report said.

The report describes home quarantine as "at least as effective as a facility- based model" in preventing transmission and avoids the risk of putting people in "physical proximity with others suspected of having COVID-19".It also reduces the number of workers required, "thereby reducing the number of people potentially being exposed".

Those unable to quarantine at home will be accommodated at hotels located near hospitals and modified for social distancing and minimal transmission risk.

Police would be on-site 24/7 alongside units dedicated to infection prevention and control, and contact tracing.Staff will not be allowed to work across multiple quarantine sites or in other forms of employment.

Victoria's second virus wave, which resulted in more than 18,000 infections and 800 deaths, can be traced to outbreaks among staff at the Rydges and Stamford Plaza hotels

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.

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