Premier flags November as a timeframe for lifting ring of steel

Mr Andrews was asked if the checkpoints might be removed within the next month.

"There are many, many people that want to desperately go and see the ones they love the most, and then there's lots of other reasons," he said.

"We want those regional tourism businesses to have bookings, all of that.

"They want Melburnians back visiting, but they want it when it's safe.

"I would hope in the next month, during November, we can get to that point.

"We're all working towards a COVID-normal Christmas."

The checkpoints preventing Melburnians travelling to regional areas have only just been 'strengthened' with ADF requested to support operations, but their removal is expected to coincide with restrictions easing.

Bright and District Chamber of Commerce President Rupert Shaw said the lifting of restrictions to leave home for Melburnians should happen "sooner rather than later".

"It can't come soon enough," he said.

"We were hoping he'd ease restrictions for this coming long weekend, but that's not happening.

"Businesses have barely been open since the second of January, because of bushfires and COVID.

"For the vast majority of businesses, 60 per cent of customers come from Melbourne.

"We've got customers, but not to the same level we would if Melbourne was open."

IN OTHER NEWS:

Mr Shaw is operations manager at Bright Brewery and said it was fantastic to have regional Victorians back, and to go to 70 people in outdoor spaces.

"We thank them for coming," he said.

"But a lot of businesses have run down their reserves over this year and really need customers - it's acute for towns like Bright, Beechworth and other tourist destinations.

"We supported the lockdown when there were 700 cases a day - it absolutely made sense - but now it's a different story, there's so few cases."

Victoria reported one new case on Tuesday.

Nearly a week after three people tested positive in Shepparton - who are the only active cases in regional Victoria - and more than 5000 tests, no new cases have been detected.

Billson's Brewery owner Nathan Cowan said it was great to know a timeframe had been flagged for the lifting of the checkpoints.

"It's really positive news, summer trade is so important to all of the businesses here and we rely on tourism," he said.

"We've been really lucky that we've seen an increase in our web sales and the community have really tried to support local."

Billson's opened a renovated dining area at the end of September.

"We actually don't have the luxury of any outdoor area, but indoors we had an increase which is really good, as we've been turning locals way," Mr Cowan said.