Victoria has recorded 1461 new COVID-19 cases and seven deaths in the 24 hours to midnight. The state has 74 per cent of the population aged 16 years and over fully vaccinated. There are 802 COVID-19 patients in hospital with 152 in ICU and 92 ventilated. 56,905 tests were conducted yesterday, with 27,859 vaccine doses administered in state-run clinics. There have now been 4,456,376 vaccination doses given at state-run clinics in total. Victoria has 24,831 active cases of COVID-19. On the weekend, Premier Daniel Andrews announced major changes to Victoria's roadmap when the state reaches its next two major vaccination milestones. With Victoria set to hit its 80 per cent full vaccination target ahead of schedule sometime next weekend, restrictions will ease further and align across the state from 6pm on Friday. IN OTHER NEWS: The ban on travel between Melbourne and regional Victoria will be scrapped, reconnecting the state for the first time since the city's 77-day lockdown lifted. Masks will no longer need to be worn outdoors, entertainment venues, gyms and retail stores can reopen indoors for fully vaccinated patrons, and capacity limits will increase for restaurants, pubs and cafes. Students from every year level across the state also return to full-time, face-to-face learning on November 1 before Tuesday's Melbourne Cup public holiday. Longer term, Mr Andrews laid out a plan for the state once 90 per cent of the 12-plus population are fully vaccinated, forecast on or around November 24. - with Australian Associated Press
