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'Very close': Victorian Premier hints at greater freedom of movement

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews has hinted that interstate travel could soon be on the cards again for Victorians.

In a stunning turnaround, Victoria recorded just one new case of coronavirus on Saturday and no deaths.

Saturday's statistics show the 14-day rolling average of new cases up to Friday stands at 8.1 for metropolitan Melbourne and 0.5 for regional areas.

The remarkable result reaffirms the state’s downward trend in case numbers after Victoria had just two new cases on Friday.

People enjoy the spring weather while jogging on a running track around Melbourne's Royal Botanic Gardens.
Melbourne residents enjoy a Saturday morning jog in the city's Royal Botanic Gardens. Source: Getty Images

On Saturday, Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews asked what it would take from a case numbers perspective to allow Victorians to travel to NSW and other states.

“We're very close to having a situation where regional Victorians will be able to travel into NSW and into South Australia as well,” he told reporters Saturday.

“Those arrangements are for other Premiers to announce. We are closer to that.”

But first, the “ring of steel” between Metro Melbourne and Regional Victoria, a restriction which is separating the state to stop the Covid-19 spread, has to come down, he added.

“The status of borders in other states, that is very much a matter for them but the best, most meaningful thing we can do, and I don't think it is all that far away,” Mr Andrews said.

Police in the southern New South Wales (NSW) border city of Albury check cars crossing the state border from Victoria.
Police check cars crossing the Victorian-NSW border in July. Source: Getty Images

“The aim has always been, by Christmas, that there can be that freedom of movement. That has been the Prime Minister's aim and I have been supportive of that and playing our part in that.”

Mr Andrews will announce some changes on Sunday but they are likely to be focused on outdoor public gatherings.

Andrews lashes Federal Health Minister for ‘insulting’ tweet

The premier also took aim at the Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt for “insulting” the sacrifice of Victorians by calling for the reopening of hospitality after Victoria recored just one new case Saturday.

“The epidemiological conditions for a COVID-safe reopening of hospitality, movement and family reunions, among others, have now firmly been met,” Mr Hunt tweeted in response to the news.

“Victoria should now be able to move to the next step, in line with NSW.”

In retort, Mr Andrews told reporters that the minister was not an epidemiologist and it was not for him to determine whether the conditions have been met, saying Victorians are sick of the federal government’s political games.

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews took a shot at Greg Hunt. Source: AAP
Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews took a shot at Greg Hunt. Source: AAP

“He’s a politician and I think he’s making that very clear to everyone who follows these tweets and everyone else who listens to his criticisms,” he said.

“I’m done with this.

“It’s an insult to the sacrifice that Victorians have made.

“Politics doesn’t work on this and I’m going to call it out from now on because there are some people who have played politics every day of this pandemic, and Victorians are sick of it.”

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