Victoria records just eight new coronavirus cases – as top health official warns young people who sparked outrage by partying on St Kilda beach that they're 'risking everything'
Victoria has recorded eight new coronavirus cases and three deaths after a top health expert issued a warning to partygoers.
The new figures reported on Saturday pushed the 14-day rolling average of coronavirus cases in Melbourne down to 12 and 0.1 in regional Victoria.
There were also just 11 coronavirus cases from an unknown source, down from 14 on Friday.
Victoria's Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton has urged the hundreds of young people who were partying at St Kilda beach on Friday night to not 'risk everything'.
Victoria has recorded just eight new cases of coronavirus on Saturday after beach-goers sparked outrage by partying in crowds in Melbourne on Friday night
Victoria's Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton has urged the hundreds of young people who were partying at St Kilda beach to not 'risk everything'
Sutton took to Twitter to issue a heartfelt plea after disturbing footage emerged of hordes of young people partying on Melbourne's beaches, ignoring social distancing and gathering in large groups.
'Don't risk everything.
'What we can hold back now means a truly normal summer. Please - Hold. The. Line,' Prof Sutton tweeted.
After two months of tough lockdown, many Melbourne residents rushed to get out and party in the sun as temperatures climbed above 25 degrees on Friday.
They packed Williamstown, St Kilda and Port Melbourne beaches for their two hours of exercise time.
Professor Sutton retweeted footage from 7NEWS Melbourne along with his warning.
Reporter Paul Dowsley broadcast disturbing footage from St Kilda Beach of hundreds of young people cavorting without masks, shouting for joy and not respecting social distancing rules.
The moment a young man grabbed a 7News reporter and kissed his head as lockdown relief craziness broke out at St Kilda Beach. A woman kissed the camera lens, leaving a lip-shaped blur. Authorities fear the lack of face masks and social distancing, could bring the virus back
Melbourne residents couldn't contain their joy on Friday at the slight easing of restrictions and the warm weather. They have been on tough Stage Four lockdown since August 2
People thronged to St Kilda beach at sunset on Friday, ignoring coronavirus restrictions
Then, the craziness broke out as unmasked revellers swarmed him as he did his live cross.
One woman squealing in delight, ran up and kissed the camera, planting lip gloss on the lens.
A young man without a mask ran up and grabbed the reporters shoulder, kissed the side of his neck twice, then patted the top of his head and kissed the back of it, too.
Authorities fear the coronavirus will once again break out unless people stick to the social distancing rules under Step Two of the roadmap out of coronavirus lockdown.
Victoria has so far been on track in beating the coronavirus thanks to the strict lockdown. Experts fear the partying beachgoers (St Kilda pictured) could reverse this progress
Fines for those who flout the restrictions on gatherings have been increased to $4957 (Melbourne's busy St Kilda beach pictured on Friday)
Victoria has so far been on track and ahead of schedule in beating the coronavirus as the strict lockdowns worked to control the spread.
For restrictions to ease to Step Three, Melbourne's 14-day average must fall below five, with less than five mystery cases for a fortnight.
Under current Step Two rules, people are only able to gather in maximum groups of five, from two households.
They need to be keeping to the 1.5m social distancing rule, and wearing the compulsory facemasks.
Premier Daniel Andrews increased fines for those who flout the restrictions on gatherings from $1652 to $4957 as the Stage Two easings came into effect on Monday.
MELBOURNE'S ROADMAP OUT OF COVID-19 LOCKDOWN - WHAT YOU WILL BE ABLE TO DO AND WHEN:
Step one: Came into effect on September 14
Step two: Came into effect on September 28
Step three: When there is a daily statewide average of five new cases over the past 14 days. The original aim was for October 26 but that has been brought forward to October 19 after the 14-day average of new cases fell below initial expectations
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.
FREEDOMS YOU GET AT EACH STEP OF EASING
Step one - came into effect September 14
- 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 - came into effect September 28
- Melbourne's curfew lifted
- 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 - originally expected October 26, brought forward to October 19
- 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 - expected in November, dependent on new case numbers:
- 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