Victoria enjoys fourth day with ZERO coronavirus cases hours ahead of its beloved Melbourne Cup as punters gather for a very different race
Victoria has recorded its fourth consecutive day of zero coronavirus cases and no further deaths.
The figures were released just hours before the state celebrates its beloved Melbourne Cup as they enjoy their first public holiday since emerging from lockdown.
Tuesday's figures bring Melbourne's 14-day rolling average to 1.9 cases, with two mystery case recorded in the fortnight to October 31.
Regional Victoria, meanwhile, has recorded no cases in the past fortnight.
Victoria has recorded its fourth consecutive day of zero coronavirus cases and no further deaths. Pictured:A group of ten people having drinks together in Melbourne on Saturday
Racing fans around Australia are still determined the celebrate the 'race that stops the nation', even if COVID-19 restrictions mean they look a little different this year (Flemington Racecourse over the weekend)
Melbourne Cup Day will be marked on Tuesday with Flemington off-limits to any spectators for the race that 'stops the nation', despite drawing massive crowds for almost 160 years.
Social distancing rules mean 2020's event is destined to be a subdued affair with only essential staff, jockeys and officials at the track.
Only two adults plus dependants from one household are allowed over for a cup day party.
For those wanting to celebrate at home, they can have one other household as guests to enjoy the Cup, or can meet in groups of up to ten in parks.
Melburnians are expected to make the most of Tuesday's sunshine and gather outside, as households can only host one visit per day.
Pubs and bars are open to pick up the slack but limited to caps of 50 people outdoors and 20 indoors.
For those wanting to enjoy the day at a pub or restaurant, many are already completely booked out.
Tables at hospitality venues were snapped up when restrictions eased last week, with stacks of venues left without room.
Those at pubs and restaurants need to remember to remain seated while drinking and to not share any food.
Melbourne Cup Day will be marked on Tuesday with Flemington off-limits to any spectators for the race that 'stops the nation' (Pictured: women at Flemington in 2017)
Melbourne punters who missed out on a table at a venue will be able to head to Federation Square to watch the race on the big screen.
People will either need to secure a table at one of the hospitality venues in the square or sit the socially distanced 'comfort zone' marked by white circles.
The famous Fashions on the Field will be rebranded to Myer Fashions on your Front Lawn, with people urged to showcase their style online.
Fashion-forward individuals will be asked to pose outside their homes and enter the images online.
People out and about will also need to match their fascinators to their face-masks, or they risk a $200 fine
Parks are likely to be a popular option for groups up to 10, as temperatures across the city soar into the high 20s.
Pictured: Diners on Degraves Street, one of Melbourne's most famous laneways, on October 31
As of Wednesday, there were 49 active COVID-19 cases in Victoria, the lowest number since June 15, after peaking at 7880 on August 11.
Transport Infrastructure Minister Jacinta Allan said has linked the low case numbers to people practising social distancing and wearing masks.
'We are going to need to continue to do that for the months ahead,' she said on Wednesday.
More restrictions are due to ease in Melbourne from 11:59pm on Sunday, including the scrapping of a so-called 'ring of steel' dividing the city from the regions and a 25km travel limit.
Patron caps on pubs and restaurants will also increase to up to 40 people inside and 70 outside.
The state's virus death toll remains at 819 and the national figure at 907.
Meanwhile, hardware giant Bunnings announced its much-loved sausage sizzles will restart at regional Victorian stores from mid-November.