Authorities in Victoria are increasing security measures around the city of Melbourne, in a bid to stop the potential of COVID-19 spreading into regional areas.
People in regional communities are welcoming the scaling back of restrictions at midnight tonight.
The reason for the relaxation is the 14-day new case average in rural and regional Victoria is under the sub-five threshold for step three out of lockdown.
In other news:
- The United Arab Emirates and Bahrain have signed treaties with Israel to formally normalise relations;
- Italian PM Giuseppe Conte meets with students at the reopening of a school in the Umbrian city of Norcia that had been closed since the 2016 earthquake the devastated the area. The students had been following lessons in containers;
- In sport, German Lennard Kaemna wins the 16th stage of the Tour de France. Slovenian Primož Roglič keeps the leader's yellow jersey.
In metropolitan Melbourne it's now below 53, which is well on track to its goal of a 30 to 50 new case average for its second step on the road map.
Victorian Deputy Chief Health Officer Professor Allan Cheng says the signs are promising.
What regional Victoria are doing now will be a dry run for what will happen in Melbourne. I expect that, you know, we'll be making the same sort of assessment hopefully in a number of weeks' time to say that, you know, it's safe for Melbourne to open up.
Meanwhile, the Victorian Government faces three class action lawsuits over lost work and income during the state's second round of lockdowns.
Statement of claims have been lodged in the Victorian Supreme Court against the government.
People in Australia must stay at least 1.5 metres away from others. Check your state’s restrictions on gathering limits.
If you are experiencing cold or flu symptoms, stay home and arrange a test by calling your doctor or contact the Coronavirus Health Information Hotline on 1800 020 080.
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