Regional Victoria to emerge from lockdown from FRIDAY
A Covid lockdown will be lifted in regional Victoria, with the exception of the town of Shepparton which is still battling a coronavirus outbreak.
The state has recorded 221 new locally acquired Covid-19 cases on Wednesday, but most are in Melbourne.
"Regional Victorians have done an amazing job, that is why these steps are possible," Premier Daniel Andrews told reporters on Wednesday.
From Friday morning the five reasons to leave home will be removed from regional Victoria, offices can reopen at 25 per cent capacity or 10 people, and businesses and venues can reopen.
Schools can also reopen for prep to year two and year 12 students.
In Melbourne, which will stay in lockdown, will see a jump in police enforcement of the metropolitan-regional border.
"If you don't have good lawful reason to go to regional Victoria, then please don't go to regional Victoria," Mr Andrews said.
It comes as police also investigate an illegal gathering in Melbourne's southeast.
So far six people have been fined $5452 each, or more than $32,000 collectively, after up to 30 people gathered to mark the Jewish holiday of Rosh Hashanah in breach of lockdown restrictions.
Victoria Police Assistant Commissioner Russell Barrett said there will be more fines issued "today or in coming days", as he urged those who attended the gathering to come forward.
"My advice is really clear to the people who were there last night - come forward, identify yourselves and allow us to process you through our systems and apply the law as it is today," he said.
It brings the total number of active cases in the state to 1920.
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