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Victoria is plunged into statewide lockdown from TODAY after 77 new cases - but regions escape one of Melbourne's most hated rules as huge change is made to childcare

Regional Victoria is back in lockdown from 1pm today with restrictions in line with Melbourne's tough lockdown with one major difference after the state recorded 77 new Covid cases. 

There were 61 locally acquired cases plus another 16 local cases found using a rapid PCR testing platform in the Shepparton area which will be included in Sunday's official numbers.

Of the new cases only 22 were in isolation for the whole of their infectious period and only 48 have been linked to known outbreaks - with the remaining mystery cases of particular concern for contact tracers. 

Regional Victoria's restrictions will be the same as for those in Melbourne minus the curfew that requires those in the capital to not leave their home between 9pm and 5am.

Construction will also be limited to 25 per cent capacity statewide to be inline with Melbourne.  

For those in Melbourne there are significant changes around childcare, which has been flagged as an area where transmission has been occurring. 

'We will move to a permit system, where only authorised workers will be able to send their kids to childcare and those who have vulnerable children,' Mr Andrews said at Saturday's state update.

Regional Victoria has been plunged into lockdown after the state recorded another 61 cases on Saturday and a regional outbreak in Shepparton grew on Friday night (pictured: Melbourne residents out exercising)

Regional Victoria has been plunged into lockdown after the state recorded another 61 cases on Saturday and a regional outbreak in Shepparton grew on Friday night (pictured: Melbourne residents out exercising) 

'We will work through all the detail of that over the course of the weekend. There will be exact words up on the website, a process for people to follow, but essentially going back to the process that we followed last year which was very successful, I know challenging, but very, very successful,' Mr Andrews said.

'We have got to limit the number of kids that are in our childcare centres. We have to got to limit the amount of movement that is occurring that involves our smallest children.'

Children at schools will also be asked to wear masks, however, this won't be compulsory. 

'That's particularly reflecting on the Delta variant and the fact that we've seen significant transmission between young children,' the state's chief health officer Brett Sutton said. 

'We're talking about primary school children. I'm reflecting on how challenging it will be for very young children, it is for that reason a recommendation.'

The rules for those in Melbourne will largely remain the same with the exception of childcare which will revert back to a permit system used in 2020 (pictured: Melbourne residents in August)

The rules for those in Melbourne will largely remain the same with the exception of childcare which will revert back to a permit system used in 2020 (pictured: Melbourne residents in August)

A new exposure site emerged at a machinery hire company in Bendigo (stock image), causing grave concerns the virus has leaked further into regional Victoria

A new exposure site emerged at a machinery hire company in Bendigo (stock image), causing grave concerns the virus has leaked further into regional Victoria

Melbourne is in the midst of their sixth lockdown with a worrying number of new Covid cases indicating this could be extended (pictured: Melbourne this week)

Melbourne is in the midst of their sixth lockdown with a worrying number of new Covid cases indicating this could be extended (pictured: Melbourne this week) 

The outbreak in Shepparton which has grown to 17 cases and second cluster of 14 cases linked to the Broadmeadows MyCentre Childcare are causing authorities concern after growing significantly in the last day.

Another 35 of the cases are linked to known clusters, however, there are also 11 unlinked cases across the Melbourne suburbs of Airport West, Frankston, Keysborough, Docklands and Yarraville. 

On Friday, former premier Jeff Kennett claimed 'well-placed' food industry sources briefed on distribution disruptions by the state government warned him about the extended lockdown and tighter restrictions lasting into next year. 

But Labor MP Martin Pakula slammed the former premier as 'alarmist' late on Friday night saying his department is responsible for industry engagement and they have not been told of lockdown into next year. 

Mr Kennett on Friday said he had seen a document confirming the new lockdown for regional Victoria, and described the move as 'appalling'.

'The test will be at 80 per cent vaccination. What will Dan Andrews do when we get to 80 per cent full vaccination? He won't guarantee that,' he told the Saturday Herald Sun. 

When asked on Saturday about his comments on a lockdown extending into 2022, Mr Andrews called Mr Kennett 'irrelevant' and said the comments were 'not based on fact'. 

An urgent Cabinet meeting was held on Friday afternoon to discuss the possible new lockdown rules including the changes for childcare centres. 

Speculated tighter travel limits, shorter exercise times, a construction halt, and a ban on takeaway food and coffee did not eventuate. 

On Saturday Mr Andrews said takeaway food and coffee were not an area they were looking at clamping down on.

'I believe that is safe and I have no advice to change those settings. If I got advice though, I would, but I don't have that advice,' he said. 

Ahead of the lockdown the state government told community sporting leagues in regional Victoria to 'immediately cancel their activities for this weekend'.

'The situation in Melbourne and across regional Victoria is extremely concerning,' a spokesperson said. 

Mr Andrews was reportedly poised to announce the regional lockdown and new restrictions immediately, until deciding to wait for overnight case numbers on Saturday morning instead

Mr Andrews was reportedly poised to announce the regional lockdown and new restrictions immediately, until deciding to wait for overnight case numbers on Saturday morning instead 

The whole of Victoria is set to go back into lockdown as Covid-19 continues to spread into regional parts of the state. Pictured is a pedestrian in Melbourne as the city endures its sixth coronavirus lockdown

The whole of Victoria is set to go back into lockdown as Covid-19 continues to spread into regional parts of the state. Pictured is a pedestrian in Melbourne as the city endures its sixth coronavirus lockdown

A morning takeaway coffee could be off the table for Melburnians if restrictions are tightened

A morning takeaway coffee could be off the table for Melburnians if restrictions are tightened

Among the new restrictions being considered by the state government is an unprecedented ban on takeaway food and coffee in Melbourne

Among the new restrictions being considered by the state government is an unprecedented ban on takeaway food and coffee in Melbourne

Thousands of locals in Shepparton, 181km northwest of Melbourne, and surrounding areas were already forced into isolation and several school campuses have closed after a man in his 30s tested positive.  

The Shepparton man has two children at St Mel's Primary, which has been closed for deep cleaning.

He is isolating at home and his family has also been tested. 

Since then, another 16 cases including family members from two households have been linked to him, Goulburn Valley Health chief executive Matt Sharp said. 

'It is likely there will be further people testing positive for COVID-19 in coming days,' Mr Sharp said late on Friday.

'Contact tracing is progressing and will continue as a primary focus. Anyone identified as a close contact will be contacted directly by the contact tracing team.' 

VICTORIA'S STATEWIDE LOCKDOWN - ALL THE RESTRICTIONS YOU NEED TO KNOW

A lockdown for regional Victoria applies from 1pm on Saturday with restrictions in line with Melbourne minus the curfew. 

Lockdown restrictions apply until 11.59pm on Thursday, September 2.

A curfew for those in Melbourne only includes: 

Between 9:00pm and 5:00am, you cannot leave your home (or the home of your intimate partner or bubble buddy) except for limited reasons including:

- authorised work

- health and medical purposes

- care and support of a child or someone with special needs

- in an emergency or to escape harm

Across Victoria you cannot leave your home other than for one of the five following reasons:

- shopping for necessary goods and services

- caregiving or compassionate reasons, including medical care or to get a COVID-19 test

- authorised work (with a permit) or permitted education

- exercise (once a day for 2 hours, no more than 5km from where you live)

- to get a COVID-19 vaccination

Victorians may also leave home to visit their intimate partner, their single social bubble buddy, or in an emergency – including those at risk of family violence.

You must stay within 5km of your home for shopping and exercise. This limit does not apply to permitted work or education, when giving or receiving care, getting a COVID-19 vaccination or visiting an intimate partner or your single social bubble buddy.

Residents of Metropolitan Melbourne must not travel to regional Victoria other than for permitted reasons. These include:

- for authorised work or permitted education

- to visit an intimate partner

- for care and compassionate reasons

- to access COVID-19 vaccination provided it is to the closest facility where vaccination can be obtained, or

- to access necessary good and services provided this is to the closest facility where these can be obtained. 

Face masks must be worn indoors and outdoors whenever you leave your home.

Public gatherings are not allowed across the state.  

Childcare will be limited to only essential workers and vulnerable families using a permit system that was used in 2020. 

Children at primary school are also asked to wear masks but this is not mandatory. 

Weddings cannot proceed and funerals are capped at 10 attendees. 

Across the state construction sites will only be allowed to have 25 per cent of their workers on site. 

Essential shops remain open. Cafes and pubs will be able to remain open for takeaway only. 

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VICTORIA'S STATEWIDE LOCKDOWN - ALL THE RESTRICTIONS YOU NEED TO KNOW

A lockdown for regional Victoria applies from 1pm on Saturday with restrictions in line with Melbourne minus the curfew. 

Lockdown restrictions apply until 11.59pm on Thursday, September 2.

A curfew for those in Melbourne only includes: 

Between 9:00pm and 5:00am, you cannot leave your home (or the home of your intimate partner or bubble buddy) except for limited reasons including:

- authorised work

- health and medical purposes

- care and support of a child or someone with special needs

- in an emergency or to escape harm

Across Victoria you cannot leave your home other than for one of the five following reasons:

- shopping for necessary goods and services

- caregiving or compassionate reasons, including medical care or to get a COVID-19 test

- authorised work (with a permit) or permitted education

- exercise (once a day for 2 hours, no more than 5km from where you live)

- to get a COVID-19 vaccination

Victorians may also leave home to visit their intimate partner, their single social bubble buddy, or in an emergency – including those at risk of family violence.

You must stay within 5km of your home for shopping and exercise. This limit does not apply to permitted work or education, when giving or receiving care, getting a COVID-19 vaccination or visiting an intimate partner or your single social bubble buddy.

Residents of Metropolitan Melbourne must not travel to regional Victoria other than for permitted reasons. These include:

- for authorised work or permitted education

- to visit an intimate partner

- for care and compassionate reasons

- to access COVID-19 vaccination provided it is to the closest facility where vaccination can be obtained, or

- to access necessary good and services provided this is to the closest facility where these can be obtained. 

Face masks must be worn indoors and outdoors whenever you leave your home.

Public gatherings are not allowed across the state.  

Childcare will be limited to only essential workers and vulnerable families using a permit system that was used in 2020. 

Children at primary school are also asked to wear masks but this is not mandatory. 

Weddings cannot proceed and funerals are capped at 10 attendees. 

Across the state construction sites will only be allowed to have 25 per cent of their workers on site. 

Essential shops remain open. Cafes and pubs will be able to remain open for takeaway only. 

Melbourne residents have been urged to keep their vaccine bookings after the federal government said a new shipment of Pfizer doses were on the way (pictured: a Covid testing site in Melbourne this week)

Melbourne residents have been urged to keep their vaccine bookings after the federal government said a new shipment of Pfizer doses were on the way (pictured: a Covid testing site in Melbourne this week) 

When pushed on Saturday if Victoria's regional lockdown could have been enacted earlier given that Covid fragments had been detected in Shepparton's wastewater a week ago, Mr Andrews said they locked down as soon as was practical. 

'We don't lock places down off sewage, right off a ping of a test, we need positive cases,' he said. 

He also knocked back the idea of locking down just one regional area of the state.

'When you already know that there's been movement to other parts of regional Victoria, then the notion of trying to divide regional Victoria up into different different sectors. That doesn't work,' he said. 

'We have to assume there is more of this in regional Victoria than the testing tells us'. 

The premier sent a warning to the people of Victoria saying the state is at a tipping point and could soon be facing the same problem as Sydney if the virus 'gets away from us'

The premier sent a warning to the people of Victoria saying the state is at a tipping point and could soon be facing the same problem as Sydney if the virus 'gets away from us'

FIND THE LATEST EXPOSURE SITES NEAR YOU

An outbreak in Shepparton grew to 17 cases late on Friday and a new exposure site emerged at a machinery hire company in Bendigo, causing concerns the virus has leaked further into regional areas

An outbreak in Shepparton grew to 17 cases late on Friday and a new exposure site emerged at a machinery hire company in Bendigo, causing concerns the virus has leaked further into regional areas

Hundreds of protesters have also flooded Melbourne and clashed with police as the statewide lockdown got underway. 

Officers were prepared for the protest after the rally was promoted online with more than 700 were out in force since early on Saturday morning.

Crowds of protesters who were not wearing masks lit flares, held placards and chanted anti-lockdown and anti-vaccine slogans.

Hundreds of protesters (pictured) have clashed with police in Melbourne on Saturday afternoon as the statewide lockdown was brought into effect

Hundreds of protesters have clashed with police in Melbourne on Saturday afternoon as the statewide lockdown was brought into effect 

Mounted police and officers with riot gear were seen patrolling Melbourne streets (pictured)

Mounted police and officers with riot gear were seen patrolling Melbourne streets  

Protesters did not wear masks as they gathered in crowds with the city battling a Covid outbreak that threatens to surge in numbers (pictured)

Protesters did not wear masks as they gathered in crowds with the city battling a Covid outbreak that threatens to surge in numbers  

Police were prepared for the protesters with more than 700 officers out in force since early on Saturday morning (pictured)

Police were prepared for the protesters with more than 700 officers out in force since early on Saturday morning  

Hundreds of protesters march through Melbourne's CBD on Saturday afternoon (pictured)

Hundreds of protesters march through Melbourne's CBD on Saturday afternoon  

Mr Andrews also previously defended his unpopular decision to close all children's playgrounds in the city despite widespread backlash and no conclusive evidence of Delta transmission. 

'The government is playing its part, we locked down early, we couldn't have locked down any earlier. We went hard. I can't be clearer with the people of Melbourne. 

'If we have a weekend this weekend like we did last weekend, then next week we'll look like Sydney. It's as simple as that.'  

The crowds turned unruly shortly after 1pm rushing towards police officers (pictured)

The crowds turned unruly shortly after 1pm rushing towards police officers  

A man throws a lit flare onto the a CBD street in Melbourne (pictured)

A man throws a lit flare onto the a CBD street in Melbourne  

Police sprayed some protesters as they tried to rush through the police line (pictured)

Police sprayed some protesters as they tried to rush through the police line  

Cops were not messing around with a number of protesters quickly being arrested (pictured)

Cops were not messing around with a number of protesters quickly being arrested  

'This is what it will look like if this gets away from us – hundreds and hundreds of cases every day and potentially thousands in hospital.

'Anyone who speaks to a nurse in a Covid ward they will tell you stories you'll never forget.  

Mr Andrews said the state was sitting on a 'knife's edge', urging Victorians to follow protocol or there could be an explosion in cases. 

Premier Andrews' stark warning comes as a coronavirus vaccination hub in Melbourne's southeast was declared an exposure site after a positive case visited to get their jab.

'If we get it again, it will mean kids get it, people of all ages will get it, people who are fit and healthy. That's what is at stake here,' Premier Andrews said

'If we get it again, it will mean kids get it, people of all ages will get it, people who are fit and healthy. That's what is at stake here,' Premier Andrews said 

The Covid case, who did not then have symptoms, went to the Frankston Community Vaccination Hub at Bayside Centre on Monday before testing positive on Thursday.

The Peninsula Health-run site has been declared a tier-two exposure site from 11.30am to 12.45pm on Monday, though remains open for those with a vaccination booking. 

Meanwhile an outbreak with several cases at Glenroy West Primary School plunged 50 families and staff from York St kindergarten, which is on the same site, into isolation.

A teacher at the kindergarten reportedly refused to be tested for Covid-19, forcing the potentially-exposed families to repeat their 14-day isolation. 

MELBOURNE'S LOCKDOWN WOES

Melbourne marked its 200th day under lockdown restrictions on August 19, spread over six lockdowns beginning on March 30, 2020.

Here's how they unfolded (regional Victoria lockdown dates not included):

LOCKDOWN 1 

Statewide, March 30 to May 12, 2020, 43 days 

Triggered at 46 locally acquired cases 

LOCKDOWN 2

Ten Melbourne postcodes, July 1 to July 8, 2020, seven days (not counted in the overall citywide figure)

Melbourne, July 8 to October 27, 2020, 112 days

Triggered at 149 local cases on July 8

LOCKDOWN 3

Statewide, February 12 to February 17, 2021, five days

Triggered at one local case 

LOCKDOWN 4

Melbourne, May 27 to June 10, 2021, 14 days

Triggered at four local cases

LOCKDOWN 5

Statewide, July 15 to July 27, 2021, 12 days

Triggered at ten local cases

LOCKDOWN 6

Melbourne, August 5 and ongoing until at least September 2, 16 days to Saturday, August 21

Triggered at six local cases

The teacher was at the school from August 6 to August 12 and the kindergarten is listed as a close contact exposure site for seven days from August 6. 

The teacher will face no consequences for refusing the test as there is now law surrounding mandatory testing, even though Mr Andrews suggested it was the sensible thing to do.

'If you're asked to test because there's a sense you may have the virus, and we want to rule you out … but also look after the safety of people you've been with, some of whom might be little kids, I don't think that's such a big ask,' he said.  

Mr Andrews underlined the danger of the Delta variant towards children, saying people need to start taking the latest outbreak seriously.

'There are 700 kids that have Covid in NSW. No children in our country are vaccinated,' he said Friday morning. 

'As a parent to every other parent, that should be motivation enough. We can't be certain how this virus effects kids.' 

The infected person, who did not have symptoms at the time, attended the Frankston Community Vaccination Hub at Bayside Centre on Monday before testing positive on Thursday

The infected person, who did not have symptoms at the time, attended the Frankston Community Vaccination Hub at Bayside Centre on Monday before testing positive on Thursday

An outbreak with several cases at Glenroy West Primary School (pictured) also plunged 50 families and staff from York St kindergarten, which is on the same site, into isolation

An outbreak with several cases at Glenroy West Primary School also plunged 50 families and staff from York St kindergarten, which is on the same site, into isolation 

The Premier said the state's status is currently sitting on a knife edge, saying Victorians must follow protocol immediately or face another critical situation

The Premier said the state's status is currently sitting on a knife edge, saying Victorians must follow protocol immediately or face another critical situation

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