Victoria reveals zero new Covid cases after lockdown lifted
Victoria has recorded zero new locally acquired coronavirus cases on its first day out of its snap lockdown.
The Department of Health confirmed the promising news on Thursday morning, with another stellar day of testing above 30,000.
It follows zero cases reported on Wednesday.
While restrictions eased at midnight, some still remain, including mandatory masks indoors and outdoors.
Premier Daniel Andrews warned on Wednesday the danger was far from over, with remaining restrictions to remain until at least February 26 with fears further local cases could emerge.
The Holiday Inn cluster, which began when the highly-infectious UK strain leaked from the Melbourne Airport facility, remains at 19 cases.
Almost 3500 close contacts remain in isolation.
Victoria's Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton warned positive cases were likely to emerge from that group.
"The incubation period is 14 days. There are literally thousands of people who've been potentially exposed to infectious cases. They need to see out their quarantine period. They need to not be complacent," he said on Wednesday.
He encouraged Victorians to keep getting tested for the virus if they have "any symptoms at all".
Victoria's testing chief Jeroen Weimar said his team would work to "close down" the outbreak over the next nine to 10 days.
Key restrictions in Victoria
From Thursday, schools, offices, restaurants and shops will be able to reopen, and people will be allowed to leave their home for any reason.
Home gatherings will be limited to five visitors, down from 15 while public outdoor gatherings are also limited to 20 people, down from 30.
Gyms, community facilities and entertainment venues can also reopen, while religious gatherings and ceremonies will be able to resume, subject to density limits.
Fans will also be able to return for the final days of the Australian Open tennis tournament, with crowds at Melbourne Park to be capped at 50 per cent capacity.
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