Premier Daniel Andrews says a "significant challenge" remains in Ballarat to get on top of the current COVID outbreak.
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Confirming there were three new cases and six active cases in the city, Mr Andrews praised Ballarat residents.
He said he fully expected there to be more cases emerge over the coming days.
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There is also an "unlinked case" in Ballarat that has been infectious since Tuesday, September 7 which has authorities concerned.
Five of the cases are in the 3350 postcode, while the sixth is the the 3356 postcode of Delacombe/Sebastopol.
The other five cases are connected to the original case.
BALLARAT COVID INFORMATION
"So that I think just confirms that there was, and remains, a significant challenge in Ballarat," he said.
"Can I thank all of those in Ballarat who have come forward and got tested and I thank all the community of Ballarat who I know are doing it tough. No-one wants to go back into a lockdown but that was the advice.
"If we stick together and look out for each other, as we are doing and as we'll continue to do, then the Ballarat community will get through this just as the Shepparton community have got through it now a couple of times.
"Many parts of our state have had to deal with these challenges and I'm very confident that the people of Ballarat, proud city that it is, will, with proper support, get to the other side of this."
Mr Andrews also confirmed 10,000 extra Pfizer doses were on the way to Ballarat, with more bookings to soon open up.
See where all the exposure sites are here.
Mr Andrews also announced new rules banning construction workers from crossing the metropolitan Melbourne border.
The current Ballarat outbreak was seeded from a Ballarat-based construction worker bringing the virus back from Melbourne.
The new rules will come into effect at 11.59pm tonight (Thursday) and will affect people travelling in both directions.
Mr Andrews said there would be financial support for people affected by the crackdown.
"That is a challenge, I know, but we're seeing far too many events and even people who have COVID safety at the front of their mind, if you're travelling back and forth from metropolitan Melbourne into the regions and back again, then the virus will hitch a ride," he said.
"That's exactly what has happened and we have seen not only what's happening in Ballarat, but we have seen it in a number of other regional communities."
In order to continue working, construction workers statewide will need to show evidence to their employer that they have had a first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine as of Friday, September 24.
See where all the active cases are here.
Meanwhile, from 11.59pm Friday, September 17 there will be slightly eased restrictions in terms of outdoor gatherings due to reaching 70 per cent statewide first dose vaccinations, with further easing for fully vaccinated people.
The easing of rules for metro Melbourne and Ballarat will include:
- The 5km radius will be extended to 10km radius
- One person may meet another person not from their household for a picnic, a walk, or another outdoor activity. Additionally, up to five adults (plus dependents) from two households will be able to gather outdoors if all adults present have received both doses of the COVID-19 vaccine.
- The time permitted for exercise - and now outdoor social interaction - will increase from two hours a day to four hours
- Two people will now be able to train outdoors with a personal trainer. Skate parks and outdoor communal exercise equipment will reopen.
- Up to five people will be able to attend an entertainment venue or physical recreation facility to broadcast a performance, class, or concert.
There are further easing of rules everywhere else in regional Victoria, except Ballarat, including the reopening of gyms and pools.
See how the restrictions will change here.