Victoria records eight new Covid cases after the state relaxed most of its lockdown restrictions overnight
Victoria has recorded eight new local cases of Covid-19 as the state relaxed most of its lockdown restrictions overnight as its fifth lockdown came to an end.
All of the new locally acquired cases are linked to current outbreaks and were in quarantine during their entire infectious period.
The new cases - recorded from 35,862 tests - comes as Victorians were released from stay-at-home-orders at 11:59pm on Tuesday night.
A host of tough restrictions will remain in place to try and stop further Covid-19 infections, details of which were hashed out in a meeting late on Monday night.
The eight new local cases of Covid-19 - recorded from 35,862 tests - comes as Victorians were released from their fifth lockdown at 11:59pm on Tuesday night
A host of tough restrictions will remain in place to try and stop further Covid-19 infections, details of which were hashed out in a meeting late on Monday night
Officials have agreed to get rid of the 5km travel rule and reopen schools, shops, gyms, hospitality and retail outlets.
Pubs, restaurants and cafes will have to limit their customers to either 25 or 50 people indoors at any one time but can now offer on-site dining.
Public gatherings outdoors have been capped at 10 people, while visitors to home are not permitted under the current restrictions.
More than a million Victorian students will return to the classroom on Wednesday, with excursions, planned camps and events also given the green light.
Masks are still required to be worn indoors and outdoors.
The Victorian government have indicated the restrictions will remain in place for the next two weeks.
The state has also tightened its border with New South Wales overnight to exclude Wagga Wagga, Hay, Lockhart and Murrumbidgee from the cross-border travel bubble for at least two weeks.
A host of tough restrictions will remain in place to try and stop further Covid-19 infections, details of which were hashed out in a meeting late on Monday night
Schoolchildren are set to return to the classroom this week with excursions, planned camps and events also given the green light
The Victorian government have indicated the restrictions will remain in place for the next two weeks (pictured, a Bentleigh Secondary College student returning to school on Wednesday)
State Premier Daniel Andrews on Tuesday vowed the hard border with NSW would remain until Sydney's outbreak was over, or the city was locked down to his satisfaction.
'It's through painful, tragic and bitter experience that we are able to advise others of what has actually worked,' Mr Andrews said.
'Victorians can speak with authority and tragedy and that's why we're making these respectful recommendations to others.
'It worked here and there's every chance it could work there. They've got a different view and that's fine.
'They'll be locked out of our state for as long as they have that view or they get their cases down - whichever is sooner.'
The premier has previously warned tough measures are likely to remain in place until the state's vaccination rate reaches 50 per cent.
'On the data we have now, on the trend we have now, the strategy is working. We are well placed,' he said.
'But we won't go from five reasons to leave the home from midnight on Tuesday to do whatever you want, wherever you want'.
State Premier Daniel Andrews on Tuesday vowed the hard border with NSW would remain until Sydney's outbreak was over, or the city was locked down to his satisfaction
The premier has previously warned tough measures are likely to remain in place in Victoria until the state's vaccination rate reaches 50 per cent
Pubs, restaurants and cafes will have to limit their customers to either 25 or 50 people indoors at any one time but can now offer on-site dining
However, a potential rise in cases still threatens Victorian's new-found freedom, following the anti-lockdown march which occurred in Melbourne's CBD on Saturday.
More than 1,000 people flooded the streets flouting stay-at-home orders to protest Covid restrictions, with many more taking to the streets in Covid-ravaged Sydney.
The demonstrators were seen abandoning face masks and disregarding social distancing, raising concerns the anti-lockdown rally could act as a super spreader for Covid-19.
More than 35,862 tests test results were received in the 24 hours to midnight on Tuesday, while almost 19,349 vaccine doses were administered at state-run sites during the same period.
Over the past week, we've seen the day of our highest-ever testing numbers in Victoria and yesterday, we saw 25,000 plus tests returned,' the state's Covid commander Martin Foley said.
'That together gives us some further comfort that we know what is out there but we can only be sure if Victorians continue to come forward in such strong numbers.'
However, a potential rise in cases still threatens Victorian's new-found freedom, following the anti-lockdown march which occurred in Melbourne's CBD on Saturday
Demonstrators were seen abandoning face masks and disregarding social distancing, raising concerns the anti-lockdown rally could act as a super spreader for Covid-19
Queensland will continue to maintain its border closures with Victoria and South Australia despite the southern states both lifting stay-at-home orders.
Health Minister Yvette D'Ath reassured Queenslanders that those eligible to enter the state, including returning residents and others with exemptions would be able to quarantine at home if deemed suitable.
'Based on the decisions made by the Victorian government and the South Australian government yesterday to lift their lockdown but to continue to have a very high level of restrictions in those states ... we will continue to declare Victoria and South Australia as hot spots which will mean that there are only certain eligible people to come to Queensland,' Ms D'Ath said.
Victorian's release from lockdown comes as Sydney's Covid cases reached a record high on Tuesday at 172 local cases of Covid-19.
In an alarming sign Sydney's outbreak has spread to regional NSW, five of the cases were recorded on the Central Coast - more than 120km away from the Harbour City.
Sydneysiders have been told to brace themselves for another four weeks of stay-at-home orders after health officials reportedly made the decision in crunch crisis talks on Tuesday.
VICTORIA'S NEW RESTRICTIONS
- Schools to reopen
- Cafes and restaurants open but with a cap of 25 or 50 people inside and 100 outside
- Retail to open with one person per 4sqm rule
- Outdoor community sport to restart with 100 person cap
- Masks to remain mandatory both indoors and outdoors
- The new restrictions will apply statewide, including in Melbourne