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12.18pm
Mr Andrews said because the state is no longer chasing zero which has allowed 'a little bit more room to move' and a more targeted approach to regional Victoria.
He said this was the first time the government was talking about imposing rules in a 'no longer chasing zero' world.
"Ultimately it's not that binary zero or heaps of cases we do have some tolerance for some cases because we know we're not driving it to zero," he said.
But Mr Andrews said if the government was to completely reopen schools and hospitality without limits the state would see cases explode in regional Victoria.
12.10pm
Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton said lifting lockdown was an appropriate step to take.
"I certainly know how hard it has been for everyone especially those in regional Victoria who reflect on the fact they may not have had a case for weeks or months or perhaps through the course of the whole year, but we've also seen the risk of incursions to regional Victoria and what it means when an outbreak takes hold," he said.
"Shepp has done such a fantastic job but it has taken several weeks and tens of thousands of people quarantining and thousands of people getting tested in order to start to get that under control."
Professor Sutton said five new cases had been recorded in regional Victoria in different local government areas.
A case has been recorded in Mildura in a Melbourne resident, a case in Latrobe Valley was likely acquired in Melbourne, a case was recorded in each Mitchell Shire and Ballarine Peninsula both linked to construction work in the community, and a case was recorded in Moorabool.
"It does speak to that ongoing risk," he said.
"Shepparton does illustrate how quickly it can take hold."
12pm
Victorian stuck in NSW within the border bubble will be able to return to their home state and take place in home-based quarantine.
Health Minister Martin Foley said as part of the national plan, a home quarantine pilot would see more than 200 Victorians stuck on the NSW border return home.
He said those Victorian who have been in NSW border LGAs for the past 14 days will be able to apply for a new permit, opening on Friday.
Mr Foley said those applying for the exemption must establish their primary residence is in Victoria, must have a negative COVID test prior to their arrival in Victoria, must have had their first does of COVID vaccine and must have proof of remaining in the border bubble.
11.45am
Lockdown will end in Regional Victoria, apart from Shepparton, from tomorrow night.
Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews said from 11.59pm on Thursday the five reasons to leave home will be removed in regional Victoria.
"There will be a degree of freedom in regional Victoria that has been hard won," he said.
Mr Andrews said should cases appear in regional Victoria a targeted series of measures will apply.
"We would look to try and target and localised our public health measures," he said.
Mr Andrews said there would be a significant increase in police enforcement to stop Melburians travelling to regional Victoria.
Shepparton is expected to join regional Victorian restrictions next week.
There will be no limit on the distance regional Victorians can travel from home - other than restrictions on entry to Melbourne.
The authorised worker list will no longer apply in the regions and most businesses and venues can reopen with density limits.
Regional Victorians should still work from home if they can but office workers will be able to return up to 25 per cent or 10 people from 11.59pm on Thursday.
Regional schools will reopen for face-to-face learning for Prep to Grade 2 students and Year 12s.
Remote learning remains in place for other year levels.
20 people can attend funerals and 10 people can gather for a wedding, plus those required to conduct the ceremonies.
Restaurants and cafes can reopen for seated service with caps in plane.
Retail, hairdressing and community facilities can reopen, with limits. Businesses must check IDs of everyone they serve in order to prevent people from Melbourne attending.
Masks will still be required indoors and outdoors.
It comes as Victoria recorded 221 cases of COVID in the 24 hours to midnight Tuesday.
36,716 vaccines were delivered and 42,429 tests received in the 24 hours to midnight Tuesday.
Of the new cases 98 have been linked to known outbreaks, 123 mystery cases are still being investigated.
IN OTHER NEWS:
Yesterday, NSW Deputy Premier John Barilaro indicated a decision on regional lockdown would be announced on Thursday.
"I would say north of the state and probably (the) Riverina region down the bottom of the state are the two areas that clearly stand out (as candidates for release)," he said.
Mr Barilaro said he had not information about whether regional Victoria would ease restrictions but indicated that the border bubble could shrink in response to regional NSW reopening.
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