Coronavirus Victoria: Daily cases rise again, five more deaths
Victoria’s daily coronavirus cases have risen again, while the state recorded five more deaths.
The Department of Health and Human Services announced 45 new cases on Friday.
It follows 28 cases on Thursday – the lowest number of daily infections since the peak of the second wave.
The state’s death toll now stands at 750.
Friday's confirmed coronavirus infections are the highest number of daily cases Victoria has seen in eight days.
Metropolitan Melbourne’s 14-day rolling average is now 42.7. For the city to move on to the next step of the roadmap out of restrictions, the figure needs to be below 50.
Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton has said that move will not come before September 28, however Premier Daniel Andrews hinted on Thursday future steps could come earlier if targets are met.
Lengthy queues at Melbourne’s ‘ring of steel’
Also on Friday, Melbourne's "ring of steel" is sparking traffic delays, with a long line of vehicles on the road to Geelong.
Victoria Police and ADF personnel are enforcing traffic restrictions for a second day to ensure Melburnians don't try to take advantage an easing of coronavirus restrictions in in regional Victoria.
Loooooong line of headlights with traffic from the Little River checkpoint banked up almost to Werribee #victraffic #ringofsteel #covid19Vic @9NewsMelb @TheTodayShow @RossAndRussel @ChristineAhern pic.twitter.com/qXDhHCWWUs
— Tom Kelly (@tpwkelly) September 17, 2020
Channel Nine aired helicopter footage of traffic at the Little River checkpoint heading to Geelong, stretching back for about 20km.
On Thursday, Assistant Commissioner Rick Nugent said police would try to keep delays at checkpoints to 30 minutes.
Melburnians risk a fine of nearly $5000 if they try to travel to regional Victoria without a valid reason.
with AAP
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