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.<\/p>\n
“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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Regional Victoria, meanwhile, has recorded no cases in the past fortnight.<\/p>\n
Melbourne Cup Day will be marked on Tuesday with Flemington off-limits to any spectators for the race that ‘stops the nation’.<\/p>\n
Pubs and bars are open to pick up the slack but limited to caps of 50 people outdoors and 20 indoors.<\/p>\n
Only two adults plus dependants from one household are allowed over for a cup day party.<\/p>\n
Parks are likely to be a popular option for groups up to 10, as temperatures across the city soar into the high 20s.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Transport Infrastructure Minister Jacinta Allan said has linked the low case numbers to people practising social distancing and wearing masks.<\/p>\n
“We are going to need to continue to do that for the months ahead,” she said on Wednesday.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Patron caps on pubs and restaurants will also increase to up to 40 people inside and 70 outside.<\/p>\n
The state’s virus death toll remains at 819 and the national figure at 907.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, hardware giant Bunnings\u00a0announced its much-loved sausage sizzles will restart at regional Victorian stores from mid-November.<\/p>\n
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