Victoria reaches no active cases milestone

THERE are no active COVID-19 cases in Victoria for the first time since February.

The state’s last active case, a man in his 90s, was discharged from hospital on Monday.

Victoria has gone 25 days without virus deaths or new cases.

Also on Monday, Victorians were reunited with cut-off interstate relatives, loved ones and friends, as the NSW border re-opened to end more than four months of exile.

Sweeping changes have come into effect across Victoria this week, with masks no longer needed outdoors unless people are unable to safely physically distance.

They must still wear masks in indoor environments including workplaces, supermarkets and public transport, and carry them at all times.

Melburnians have been required to wear face masks outside since mid-July and the rule was extended to regional Victoria in early August.

Other tweaks from Monday include 15 home visitors allowed per day, up from two, while limits on outdoor public gatherings rise to 50 people.

For weddings and funerals, 150 people will be able to come together to celebrate or commiserate.

The same limit applies to cinemas, galleries and museums, and large-scale events can resume if granted a permit.

Large restaurants, cafes and pubs will be able to host up to 150 customers indoors, while smaller venues will be limited to 50 and must keep QR code records.

Premier Daniel Andrews outlined additional steps towards normality as well: up to 30 home visitors per day from 13 December – just in time for Christmas – and 25 per cent of staff returning to workplaces from 30 November.

The state’s virus death toll stands at 819, with the national figure 907.

-AAP