Victoria has recorded its first day without a new locally acquired case of Covid-19 in almost a month.
Pedestrians wearing face masks walk through Melbourne's Southbank on 16 July 2021, following a fresh Covid-19 lockdown. Photo: AFP
The last time the Australian state recorded a day without a local case was on 11 July.
Since then, an outbreak of the Delta strain of the virus infected more than 200 people and sent the state into a 12-day lockdown, its fifth since the pandemic began.
The zero day was detected from 30,117 test results processed on Tuesday.
There are now 99 active cases of coronavirus in the state, including those in hotel quarantine. That number is half what it was a week ago, with a peak of 205 active infections on 28 July.
The news comes as the state enters its second week out of lockdown. The current restrictions, which include a ban on home visits and a mask mandate, are set to stay in place until 11.59pm next Tuesday.
There were 17,612 vaccine doses administered in state-run centres on Tuesday, with a similar amount usually delivered by the Commonwealth rollout.
Border bubble with NSW closed overnight
Tough new border rules with New South Wales came into effect overnight, effectively closing the "border bubble" across the Murray River.
Cross-border travel is only be allowed without a permit for six essential reasons. They are:
- Necessary goods and services, including medical care and COVID tests
- Care and compassion reasons
- Paid or voluntary work
- Education including childcare
- Covid-19 vaccination
- Sport and exercise
- ABC