THE ring of steel set up to bolster attempts to prevent coronavirus seeping into regional Victoria could be improved with the creation of additional checkpoints at exits from Melbourne.
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Premier Daniel Andrews said on Friday his recent discussions with Prime Minister Scott Morrison touched on the ongoing availability of Australian Defence Force personnel already in Victoria and adding more troops on the ground from other states.
A complicating factor in getting more ADF personnel could be requirements in northern Australia as it heads into extreme weather events.
The strengthening of the ring of steel will be crucial if, as expected, restrictions ease further in regional Victoria as early as Sunday.
"Because we are confident we can even strengthen (the ring of steel) and have even less people getting through those roadblocks, then we do believe regional Victoria will be able to go further again beyond the step and rules they are in," Mr Andrews said.
"It won't be all the rules are off and be back to what an October and November looked like last year.
"But there will be further safe steps we can take in lots of different areas in regional Victoria because it is a low virus community and Melbourne is a higher virus community and we are keeping the two apart."
Dining limits for pubs, restaurants and cafes could return to limits permitted during the state's two lockdowns.
Presently they can only have 20 people seated indoors in addition to 50 outside.
Mr Andrews clarified the discussions around ADF personnel.
"Can we get a bit of certainty about the ones we've got at the moment (staying) for a period of time and if so how long and if you had extra people who could help us with that task that would be a great assistance to Victorian Police," he said.
He also said more Victorian Police resources would be required as restrictions ease in Melbourne.
"Shepparton is a diverse, strong, proud town and all those smaller communities that look to Shepparton as their centre have done an amazing job," he said.
