Victoria has recorded 1923 new local Covid-19 cases and 25 deaths as the state prepares for another easing of restrictions tomorrow.
People out and about in the streets of Melbourne after Covid-19 restrictions eased. Photo: 2021 Anadolu Agency
It is the highest single-day death toll recorded during Victoria's current outbreak.
There are now 22,189 active cases of the virus in Victoria, and 272 people have died during the current Delta outbreak.
The new cases were detected from 82,648 test results received yesterday.
There were 21,272 doses of vaccine administered at state-run sites, and more vaccinations at GP clinics and other venues.
Restrictions across the state are set to further ease when 80 per cent of its population aged 16 and over are fully vaccinated, expected to happen tomorrow.
From 6pm on Friday, masks will no longer be mandatory outdoors, non-essential retail stores and gyms will reopen and travel between Melbourne and regional Victoria will be allowed.
Meanwhile, the debate between the state and federal governments over whether unvaccinated tennis players should be allowed into the country for the Australian Open continues.
Yesterday, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said unvaccinated players would be allowed in but would need to undergo two weeks of hotel quarantine.
His comments prompted an accusation from Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews that the Commonwealth had "done a 180" on the issue.
Mr Andrews said Victoria would not apply for exemptions to allow unvaccinated players to come into the state.
Federal Tourism Minister Dan Tehan said there needed to be some wriggle room to allow the players to compete.
"We need to have use common sense here, and if we can bring players in, and especially the best players in the world, and they can do two weeks' quarantine - that seems to me like a common-sense proposition," he said.
ACT records eight new cases
The ACT has recorded eight new locally-acquired Covid-19 cases.
There are currently 10 people in hospital with the virus in Canberra, with seven people in intensive care and five requiring ventilation.
The ACT's Covid-19 restrictions are set to ease again from tomorrow, when capacity limits within a home will increase and masks will no longer need to be worn outside.
The changes come as the ACT leads the country with its high vaccination rate - more than 91 per cent of eligible Canberrans aged 12 and over are now fully vaccinated.
"The ACT can now take the next steps forwards with great confidence," ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr said.
"What follows will be a consideration in a few weeks time to bringing forward the further easing of restrictions in mid-November, with a focus on density and capacity limits," he said.
Travel to NSW and Victoria permitted from 1 November
As restrictions ease within the territory tomorrow, rules for interstate travel are also set to be relaxed.
Health Minister Rachel Stephen-Smith said both New South Wales and Victoria were committed to re-opening their borders with the ACT from Monday.
"They really want to be able to progress to that much more normal state and see that freedom of travel, and certainly within the ACT, New South Wales and Victoria," she said.
"Unfortunately, I think we're going to continue to see borders closed to us by other states and territories for some considerable time yet."
- ABC