With Shepparton the only regional area still affected by the most recent COVID-19 outbreak, Mr Andrews said the rest of regional Victoria may be out of lockdown sooner rather than later, but did not provide an exact date.

Meanwhile, Melbourne is set to remain in its current lockdown settings until at least September 23, provided the state hits its vaccination target of 70 per cent receiving a first dose.

However, the Premier did announce 'modest changes' to the current rules across the state, with playgrounds to reopen from 11.59pm Thursday, along with adjustments to home child care rules.

Regional schools will be waiting on an announcement next week to learn whether or not students will return to the classroom in term three, while Melbourne schools will remain closed for the foreseeable future.

READ MORE: Regional schools to be included in possible lockdown easing next week

In an effort to get VCE students back to school in time for the crucial exam period, Mr Andrews announced a vaccination blitz for year 12 students with the goal for all year 12s and any year 11s taking a year 12 subject, about 60,000 students, to have one dose before the General Achievement Test on October 5.

The blitz, from September 7 to 17, would be run through schools and utilise local health services and state-run hubs.

If regional Victoria is released from lockdown next week, it would create another metro-regional split.

City of Ballarat Mayor Daniel Moloney said another split would have 'serious implications' for Ballarat.

"It has some big impacts on upcoming plans for visitation, particularly around some of our major events that we have held off on launching including the Foto Biennale and the 1000 Doors exhibition," he said.

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"I guess the hope is that regional Victoria will have some movement at some point. It's possible that we could still run those two events with regional visitation only, that would be nowhere near as good a visitation, but it's something, something's better than nothing at this stage."

However, Cr Moloney said while a split would impact businesses, any positive had to be taken out of the situation.

"If that means we can get more locals getting out to hospitality venues and starting to get engaged in some of our local events, then that will do a lot to help stimulate the local economy and, importantly, it'll also do a lot to help improve the wellbeing of our residents," he said.

Commerce Ballarat chief executive Jodie Gillett said many businesses would be pleased to potentially be out of lockdown next week, but the way lockdowns were applied in the regions needed a rethink.

"The majority of regional Victoria has been COVID-free for a very long time so we do think it's time the state government looked at a more nuanced approach to restrictions to enable some parts of our economy to get back and do what they do and start to rebuild our state after what's been a really devastating time," she said.

"Certainly, the one thing that we would want to say to the government is to please don't open our businesses to the maximum of 20 people, which they did once before.

"That was incredibly costly for our business community and the hospitality sector, so it's important that when we do open up that we open up safely, absolutely, but that we make sure that it's viable for businesses to operate in whatever environment that they're given."

Co-owner of Mair Street bar Renard Louis Powlett said lockdowns and restrictions had become second nature to the venue, but hoped this lockdown would be the last.

"At this point, I am very hopeful that this is the last one and obviously with the vaccination rates and everything, I'm hopeful this is our final one and that we'll be able to have a clear run at spring and summer trade, especially considering they're the busiest periods for a lot of hospitality venues," he said.

Committee for Ballarat chief executive Michael Poulton said the possible easing of restrictions would give people hope.

"We can't fight these restrictions. Rather, we must work with the government to determine what's reasonable given the unique situation for Ballarat and regional Victoria, the need to safeguard our healthcare system against growing case numbers finishing up in hospital and the growing impacts the restrictions have on our community wellbeing," he said.

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