Victoria records three new COVID-19 cases with no deaths as business leaders put more pressure on Dan Andrews to open up
Victoria has recorded three new coronavirus cases overnight with no deaths as pressure mounts on Dan Andrews to reopen the state.
The latest figures brought Melbourne's daily case average to 6.2, while the number of mystery cases from October 5-18 also fell to ten. The corresponding figures for regional Victoria remain steady at 0.4 and none.
As community transmission continues to decline, residents and businesses are losing patience with Victoria's strict lockdown restrictions.
Managing directors and CEOs of Australia's biggest companies - who collectively employ 200,000 people- have called on the premier to immediately lift Melbourne's lockdown, arguing the measures are 'unsustainable' and hurting the community.
Victoria has recorded three new cases of coronavirus overnight and no deaths as community transmission in the state continues to fall. Pictured: People wearing masks walking through Melbourne's CBD on Monday
In an open letter, seven leaders of Coca-Cola Amatil, Commonwealth Bank, BHP, Newcrest Mining, Wesfarmers, Orica and Incitec Pivot said it is 'critical to Victoria's economic future' to reopen before November 1.
'The current situation is not sustainable. Victorians are hurting badly, personally and economically,' the letter to Mr Andrews read.
'Our state is facing social and economic challenges of an unprecedented scale, and which will take many years to resolve. All this raises serious questions about how we will attract future talent to Victoria.
'We urge you now, in light of the excellent recent progress, to permit the careful and staged return to the workplace of office workers and the small businesses that provide services to them.'
Melburnians are currently required to work from home unless they have a permitted worker permit, which only includes essential industries. Regional Victorians do not need a permit unless they travel to Melbourne for work.
Mr Andrews said he will have more to say later this week about easing restrictions ahead of schedule.
Business leaders have called on Premier Dan Andrews to reopen the state as rates of community transmission continue to decline
'It's very important that we see this thing off properly, so Sunday will be a day where we can have more to say,' he said.
Retail and hospitality businesses were to remain closed until November 1, but it appears that may be brought forward by a week.
The state's death toll remains at 817 and the national figure is 905. Victoria has had only one death in the past week.
Residents of Melbourne and the Mitchell Shire have been trapped at home since the second lockdown began on July 9.
The city's second lockdown is currently in its 15th week, although Mr Andrews eased some restrictions on Sunday.
Under the new rules, groups of up to 10 people from two households can gather outdoors and tennis courts, skate parks and golf courses will reopen.
Hairdressers have reopened, outdoor pools can host 30 swimmers, while real estate auctions can take place outdoors with up to 10 bidders.
Mr Andrews eased some restrictions on Sunday, permitting groups of ten from two households to gather outdoors and some sporting areas and hairdressers to reopen. Pictured: A man visiting a barber on Monday after some lockdown measures were lifted