Victoria records 14 new COVID-19 cases and eight deaths as numbers continue to drop and the state moves towards restrictions being eased
Victoria has recorded 14 new COVID-19 cases and eight deaths in the past 24 hours, as the state moves closer to the easing of restrictions.
The number of cases originating from an unknown source are down from Thursday, the Department of Health and Human Services said on Friday morning.
Despite the drop in cases Melbourne will not take 'massive steps' out of its lingering lockdown as Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews moved to temper expectations ahead of a much-anticipated announcement on Sunday.
Melbourne's strict Stage Four lockdown is unlikely to be eased early despite falling COVID case numbers in the city (pictured people wearing masks in front of Flinders St Station)
Victoria has recorded 14 new coronavirus cases in the last 24 hours to Friday (Pictured are ADF personnel manning a Princes Highway checkpoint outside Melbourne)
Melburnians flocked to St Kilda beach on Saturday as the temperature hit 26C in the city while Freedom Day protests continued against the lockdowns
On Thursday, the state reported 12 new cases have been diagnosed since the previous day, with the total number of COVID-19 cases in Victoria now at 20,105.
Of the known, cases 67 are being treated in hospital while eight are in intensive care being treated with ventilators.
The city's crucial 14-day COVID-19 case average plummeted to 26.7 on Thursday, below the 30-50 threshold needed to trigger to the next stage of normalisation on September 28.
Despite a day earlier indicating some of the city's strict Stage Four restrictions could be eased quicker than planned, Mr Andrews was talking down the prospect of major changes to Melbourne's lockdown.
'Sunday will not be a day of massive steps,' Mr Andrews told reporters on Thursday.
'The roadmap does not speak to that. It is not a day when we essentially throw the doors open,' he said
The regional Victorian average remains steady at 1.1, while there are 532 active cases across the state.
Beachgoers eager for a breather from Stage Four lockdowns are seen basking in the sun during the COVID-19 crisis in Melbourne on Saturday
Pictured are ADF troops and police patrolling Melbourne during the second wave of the virus
People relax in Carlton Gardens as allowed time outside is increased during the Coronavirus pandemic and associated lockdown
Under the metropolitan Melbourne roadmap announced on September 6, proposed changes include a staged return to school for some students and an allowance for pubic gatherings of five people from two households.
Mr Andrews said despite the city's rolling average reducing by 2.7 on Thursday, the figures were still 'too much' to skip to 'step three' a month early.
He expects the state government and health authorities to settle on the new rules on Saturday night before publicly confirming the package.
Mr Andrews is also standing by beleaguered Health Minister Jenny Mikakos after the Health Workers Union called for her dismissal.
Ms Mikakos appeared before the inquiry into Victoria's botched hotel quarantine scheme on Thursday, with the premier scheduled to be grilled on Friday.
Stage Four restrictions and associated curfews have been tough for businesses (pictured Nerissa Jayasingha owner of cafe Lankan Tucker packing a take away order)
People enjoy indoor dining at Pako Bakery-cafe on September 17, 2020 in Geelong, Australia
Meanwhile, the state government suffered a blow in the Supreme Court on Thursday.
A judge ordered legal advice justifying the state's 9pm-5pm curfew must be handed over to the lawyers for Mornington Peninsula cafe owner Michelle Loielo, who is challenging the validity of the controversial measure.
The curfew is due to remain in place until October 26, with Mr Andrews refusing to be drawn on whether there would be any changes announced on Sunday.
Two further fatalities reported on Thursday took the state's coronavirus death toll to 773 and the national figure to 861.
The number of people who have recovered in the state is 8,738, while a total of 2,622,822 test results have been received.
Of the active cases in Victoria, 517 are in metropolitan Melbourne under the first step of the state's roadmap out of restrictions.
While 10 are in regional local government areas under the third step of the roadmap.
There are five cases that are either unknown or subject to further investigation.
Colac Otway has two active cases, Greater Geelong and Greater Bendigo have one active case and Ballarat has no active cases.
Members of Victoria Police patrol in Elsternwick Park on September 19, 2020 in Melbourne
Locals wearing masks are see riding bikes and scooters along the Yarra during COVID-19 in Melbourne
MELBOURNE'S ROADMAP OUT OF COVID-19 LOCKDOWN - WHAT YOU WILL BE ABLE TO DO AND WHEN:
Step one: The first step came into effect at 11.59pm on September 13.
Step two: The second step will be implemented when Melbourne has 30-50 COVID-19 cases a day on average over the past 14 days. The aim is for this to come into place on September 28.
Step three: The move to step three will occur when there is a daily statewide average of five new cases over the past 14 days. The aim is for this to come into place on October 26.
Step four: The move to step four will come when there have been no new COVID-19 cases in the past 14 days. The aim is for this to come into place on November 23.
COVID Normal: After 28 days of no new COVID-19 cases, things will return to normal.
Step one - 11.59pm on September 13: now in effect
- Curfew has been eased to 9pm-5am
- People can still only leave home for the four reasons (shopping, exercise, work and care or medical attention)
- Public gatherings increased to two people, or a household, for a maximum of two hours
- Singles can have one nominated person to their home as part of the 'singles social bubble'
- Childcare and early educators to remain closed
- Schools will continue to learn remotely unless they have exemptions
- Adult education to continue to be done remotely, unless they have exemption
- Only go to work if you are in a permitted industry
- Cafes and restaurants will continue with take away only
- Retail businesses will remain open for essential shopping, with others only operating with click and collect
- Only one person per household can do the essential shopping
Step two - September 28:
- Public gatherings increase again to five people from a maximum of two households
- Childcare and early educators can re-open
- Schools to continue with remote learning, but Prep to Grade Two and Year 11 and Year 12 students will gradually return to class in Term 4
- There will be an increase to permitted workplaces
Step three - October 26:
- Curfew is no longer in place
- There are no restrictions on leaving home
- Public gatherings increase to 10 people together outdoors
- A 'household bubble' will be introduced, so five people from one house can visit another
- Remote learning to continue, but Grades 3 to Year 11 can gradually return to class
- Adult education to continue to be done remotely, but hands on classes will see a phased return to onsite
- Work from home is encouraged
- Up to 10 people can eat together at restaurants and cafes, with the majority of tables outdoor
- Retail shops to reopen, with hairdresses operating under safety measures but beauty stores to remain closed
- Real estate agents can conduct private inspections by appointment
- The one person per household limit on shopping is to be revoked
Step four - November 23:
- Public gatherings to increase to 50 people outdoors
- Up to 20 visitors can attend a home at any one time
- All adult education will return to onsite with safety measures in place
- Groups limited to 20 indoors and a maximum of 50 patrons per venue
- All retail stores to reopen, while real estate agents can operate with safety measures and by keeping a record of attendants
Step five - COVID normal:
- Public gatherings have no restriction
- There will also be no restriction on visitors to homes
- Phased return to onsite work for work from home workers
- Schools to reopen as normal
- Restrictions on hospitality removed, but venues to continue keeping records