Fourth day of zero COVID cases in Victoria

VICTORIA has recorded its fourth consecutive day of zero coronavirus cases and no further deaths, as Melburnians enjoy their first public holiday since emerging from lockdown.

“This is the quaddie we want for the last 4 days: 0,0,0,0,” Victoria’s Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton posted on Twitter.

The figures, issued by the Department of Health and Human Services on Monday, bring Melbourne’s 14-day rolling average to 1.9 cases, with two mystery case recorded in the fortnight to 31 October.

Regional Victoria, meanwhile, has recorded no cases in the past fortnight.

Melbourne Cup Day will be marked on Tuesday with Flemington off-limits to any spectators for the race that ‘stops the nation’.

Pubs and bars are open to pick up the slack but limited to caps of 50 people outdoors and 20 indoors.

Only two adults plus dependants from one household are allowed over for a cup day party.

Parks are likely to be a popular option for groups up to 10, as temperatures across the city soar into the high 20s.

As of Wednesday, there were 49 active COVID-19 cases in Victoria, the lowest number since 15 June, after peaking at 7880 on 11 August.

Transport Infrastructure Minister Jacinta Allan said has linked the low case numbers to people practising social distancing and wearing masks.

“We are going to need to continue to do that for the months ahead,” she said on Wednesday.

More restrictions are due to ease in Melbourne from 11.59pm on Sunday, including the scrapping of a so-called “ring of steel” dividing the city from the regions and a 25-kilometre travel limit.

Patron caps on pubs and restaurants will also increase to up to 40 people inside and 70 outside.

The state’s virus death toll remains at 819 and the national figure at 907.

Meanwhile, hardware giant Bunnings announced its much-loved sausage sizzles will restart at regional Victorian stores from mid-November.

 

-AAP