Scott Morrison calls for Victoria to fully reopen by Christmas as the state records ZERO new coronavirus cases and no deaths yet again – but lockdown is still costing $100million and 1,200 jobs every day
Scott Morrison has called for Victoria to lift its remaining coronavirus restrictions before Christmas, as the state enjoys a second consecutive day of zero community transmissions.
Melbourne, which has been locked down for 111 days, is set to open up at midnight on Tuesday, with business closures having cost $100million a day.
The prime minister urged Premier Daniel Andrews to completely reopen the state, with 1,200 jobs lost daily and thousands unemployed.
The clean sheet comes just hours after Premier Daniel Andrews announced a widespread easing of Melbourne's restrictions, effective at 11.59pm on Tuesday.
Scott Morrison has called for Victoria to lift its remaining coronavirus restrictions before Christmas, with business closures having cost $100million a day
Victoria has had its second-straight day of no coronavirus deaths and no new cases (pictured, Melburnians preparing to leave lockdown on Monday)
Pubs, shops and restaurants will be allowed to open with 20 people indoors and 50 outside - and these limits will increase in two weeks' time.
Residents will be able to gather outside with up to ten people and there will no longer be any limit on the number of households that can come together at once.
Limits for indoor gatherings are still being finalised and will be announced on Tuesday.
A 25km travel limit and the so-called 'ring of steel' preventing Melbourne residents from leaving the city will remain in place until November 8.
Mr Morrison praised Victorians for their efforts in crushing coronavirus but has given little credit to the premier.
He wants Mr Andrews to outline clear markers to reopen the economy and social life.
Treasury has calculated the Victorian lockdown is costing the economy $100 million and 1200 jobs a day.
More changes are slated from midnight on November 8, including the end of the so-called 'ring of steel' separating the capital from regional Victoria (pictured, Melbourne on Monday)
Premier Daniel Andrews (pictured on Monday) announced a widespread easing of Melbourne's restrictions, effective at midnight, marking the end of its lockdown
The premier celebrated Monday's zero cases with a donut last night
'We look forward to Victoria continuing to make progress on the path to reopening and joining the rest of the country at steps two and three in the national plan,' Mr Morrison said.
'It will be important for the Victorian government to provide even more clarity to Victorians in the coming days and where restrictions do not have a health basis that they are removed quickly.'
Some retail and hospitality restrictions will be eased from midnight on Tuesday.
But hotel operators are concerned strict crowd limits will prevent them from turning a profit.
The prime minister wants Victoria to lock in a timeline to implement stage two and three of a national plan to ease coronavirus restrictions.
Stage two involves returning to work in offices where suitable, a relaxation of occupancy limits at venues and gatherings, and free movement between areas with no community transmission.
Step three covers a broader return to the workplace, looser density limits for events and large venues, open interstate borders and international travel partnerships.
The prime minister said he would continue to take advice - alongside the premiers of Victoria, NSW and South Australia - on the removal of hard border restrictions.
Shadow treasurer Jim Chalmers is keen to avoid weighing in on reports of a fractured relationship between the Victorian government and business groups.
Dr Chalmers said there would be a time to get into the weeds of the political debate.
'Really right now is a time to acknowledge what Victorians have been able to achieve,' he told ABC radio.
Mr Andrews will reveal the final piece of his latest reopening puzzle on Tuesday.
There was a notable absence from Melbourne's long list of easing lockdown rules on Monday, with authorities still failing to announce changes for home visits for family and friends.
The prime minister wants Victoria to lock in a timeline to implement stage two and three of a national plan to ease coronavirus restrictions
Treasury has calculated the Victorian lockdown is costing the economy $100 million and 1200 jobs a day
Mr Morrison praised Victorians for their efforts in crushing the coronavirus but has given little credit to Premier Daniel Andrews
Mr Andrews assured Melburnians they would be able to visit homes with more freedom in line with other rule changes from 11.59pm on Tuesday, but wanted to mull over the final decision overnight.
'We do not want to do a bubble because we think that can be a particularly confusing set of arrangements for families, but we have not quite settled on it,' he told reporters on Monday.
The 'proud' premier's voice croaked with emotion as he announced the dramatic lockdown changes, headlined by the reopening of Melbourne retail and hospitality venues.
More changes are slated from midnight on November 8, including the end of the so-called 'ring of steel' separating the capital from regional Victoria, as well as the 25km travel limit.
Mr Andrews has been under intense pressure to ease restrictions while also awaiting the final report from an inquiry into the botched hotel quarantine program, widely believed to have sparked Victoria's devastating second wave.
But Monday marked a significant shift in Victoria's coronavirus campaign.
Victoria free at last: What are the changes?
From Tuesday 27 October, 11.59pm
All retail, bars and restaurants open with 20 indoors and 50 outdoors
Beauty services and tattoo parlours open
Outdoor contact sport for under 18s back on and non-contact sport for adults
Four reasons to leave home removed
25km travel limit remains in place
Melbourne to regional VIC border remains
Outdoor gatherings up to 10 people
Gatherings can be of more than two households
Weddings increase to 10 attendees, funerals to 20
Church services open with 10 indoors and 20 outdoors
PT, fitness and dance classes can be held outdoors with up to 10 people
Number of people at outdoor pools can increase to 50, subject to density limits
Must work from home if you can
From 8 November
25km travel limit scrapped
Travel to regional VIC allowed
Retail, pubs and restaurants allowed 40 people indoors, 70 outdoors
Funerals allowed indoors with 20 and outdoors with 50
Non-contact sport for U18s allowed indoors
Gyms and indoor fitness will be able to reopen
Holiday accommodation to re-open
Religious gatherings will expand with up 20 people and a faith leader indoors, and 50 outside