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Victoria has recorded its fifth day in a row with no new coronavirus cases or deaths — its second-longest stretch of “zero days” to date.
Meanwhile, metropolitan Melbourne’s rolling 14-day average stands at 1.7.
Two Victorians are in hospital receiving treatment.
Over 17,000 tests were recieved overnight.
It comes as the state’s active COVID-19 cases dipped below NSW’s, with hopes rising for a “COVID-normal” summer.
Active cases dropped to 30 on Wednesday, but Victorians still face harsher restrictions than NSW, which has 49 locally-acquired active cases.
Premier Daniel Andrews said it was “possible” there will be a change to the rules on mandatory mask rules.
Mr Andrews confirmed the ring of steel will go, as well as the 25km rule will end on 11.59pm on Sunday.
Andrews also foreshadowed that more restrictions may be eased on Sunday, but said safety would be at the forefront of decisions.
Leading experts, Deakin University epidemiologist Catherine Bennett and Australian National University infectious diseases physician Peter Collignon, said Victoria could now ease mandatory mask rules.
“All in all, if we continue to see zero or really low numbers over the next week, we could ease a lot of restrictions, providing we keep indoor crowds to low levels,” Prof Collignon said.
Prof Bennett said: “The numbers are so good and with the weather picking up, it’s harder for people to comply when they’re out and about.”
Victoria’s testing commander Jeroen Weimar refused to comment on which restrictions could be eased at the weekend.
“I’ll leave Sunday’s announcement to the minister and to the Premier,” he said.
More than 230,000 people have been tested over the past fortnight, but Mr Weimar said random testing could be rolled out in more industries.
People without symptoms would also be urged to take a test if they lived or worked near an outbreak.
“We are looking at different testing modalities,” he said. “We are very confident from the point of view of testing. There is a willingness of Victorians to come out and get tested and do the right thing and I think that’ll gives us confidence that we can stay on top of this in the way that we have been over the last few months.”
Mr Weimar termed the strategy as “aggressive suppression”, but warned the virus was still a threat.
The state continues to watch the northern suburbs outbreak, which includes 42 cases across 12 households.
There had been no new cases connected to the outbreak in six days and Day 11 testing has shown encouraging results, while the East Preston Islamic College and the Croxton Special School are preparing to reopen.
There is still one mystery case in Deer Park.
$84M UPGRADE FOR WERRIBEE ZOO
Premier Daniel Andrews annouced on Wednesday that in the upcoming state budget $84 million will be committed to an upgrade of Werribee Open Range Zoo.
Mr Andrews said the upgrade is a “profound investment” in familes and tourism, with more than 300 jobs to be created.
We can’t settle for having good facilities...we have to have the very best,” he said.
https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMikQFodHRwczovL3d3dy5oZXJhbGRzdW4uY29tLmF1L2Nvcm9uYXZpcnVzL3Jlc3RyaWN0aW9uLXRoYXQtY291bGQtZ28tYXMtdmljLW1vdmVzLWNsb3Nlci10by1jb3ZpZG5vcm1hbC9uZXdzLXN0b3J5L2VmOTAzMzk1MzMwNTMzNzAxNGEzNWUxN2Y0OTNhZWEx0gGRAWh0dHBzOi8vYW1wLmhlcmFsZHN1bi5jb20uYXUvY29yb25hdmlydXMvcmVzdHJpY3Rpb24tdGhhdC1jb3VsZC1nby1hcy12aWMtbW92ZXMtY2xvc2VyLXRvLWNvdmlkbm9ybWFsL25ld3Mtc3RvcnkvZWY5MDMzOTUzMzA1MzM3MDE0YTM1ZTE3ZjQ5M2FlYTE?oc=5
2020-11-03 23:30:21Z
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