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Health authorities have just released their breakdown of COVID-19 cases in central Victoria.
There are no new cases in central Victoria, despite 363 cases elsewhere in the state, the latest figures show.
12.01pm
MELBOURNIANS trying to move their weddings to regional areas have been dealt a blow.
The Victorian government is changing the rules after being told of "a number of people deliberately moving their weddings" out of the locked down city to avoid restrictions.
"Directions will be updated to send a clear message: we are facing a pandemic and this is not the time for parties - this includes traveling to regional Victoria to attend," the government has said in a statement.
It is not clear whether any of the eager couples referred to in the statement intended to have their weddings in central Victoria.
But readers are telling us they are increasingly concerned about Melbournians travelling to central Victoria for perceived non-essential purposes, or tacking extra, non-essential, activities onto their trips.
They are also contacting politicians like Wendy Lovell, who has shared one account from a Bendigo resident.
Update, 11.44am
Workplaces and aged care facilities are both being targeted in authorities' bid to get on top of the coronavirus.
We have some details on the aged care reforms, which are being brought in because of what the Victorian premier described as a driver of new cases.
Here is a government statement:
"The Victorian Government has been working closely with the Commonwealth on a range of measures, ensuring care workers are equipped to prevent the spread of coronavirus while providing quality care.
"As the risk of transmission in aged care and health care settings remains high, from 22 July, visitation will be restricted to those defined as carers only, with a limit of one hour per day.
"And like previous asymptomatic staff testing blitzes, aged care staff will be able to access free testing, even if they don't have symptoms."
More news:
The government will roll the changes out over the next few days and says it will work with hospitals and care providers to make sure "these changes are made in a cerful and sensitive way".
The virus is now more likely to spread at aged care centres and other high-risk centres than at family gatherings, which premier Daniel Andrews says was previously driving the state's inventions.
The government has some new announcements about increases at high-risk workplaces.
Here is what it has to say:
"To address this increase, an inspection and enforcement blitz will be carried out in workplaces across the state.
"WorkSafe, Emergency Management Victoria and Victoria Police will focus on at-risk workplaces, including distribution centres, call centres and meat processing centres."
We are still waiting for today's breakdown of any new infections in central Victoria. That is expected later today. Here is the latest statistics, released late yesterday:
Want to know more about the new announcement on masks?
Scroll down to the earliest post of this story for the latest.
Those changes will not affect central Victorians but will impact anyone in Melbourne or the Mitchell Shire.
Update, 11.20
Aged care facilities are now driving COVID-19 infections, Victorian premier Daniel Andrews says.
The government is announcing new measures to stem that spread.
An aged care worker in Bendigo was diagnosed with COVID-19 late last week and is among three similar cases added to the infection tally yesterday.
Victoria's health minister is announcing a joint partnership with the federal government to address risks in the aged care system.
The "significant" package" of measures includes dealing with casual workers moving between multiple facilities.
The federal government will provide centres funding to ease the need for workers to work at multiple facilities.
The minister is also announcing funding and testing teams targeting aged care facilities.
A further 363 new COVID-19 cases have been confirmed overnight in Victoria.
More to come.
Earlier
VICTORIAN premier Daniel Andrews says Victorians will likely need to wear masks by the time the second wave of COVID-19 subsides.
The observation came as the government announced new rules this morning for people in Melbourne and the Mitchell Shire.
They will need to wear them whenever they leave the house from Wednesday or risk a $200 fine.
Central Victorians are among those being encouraged to wear masks in public if they find themselves in places they cannot social distance.
But they will still not be required by law to wear them.
Mr Andrews today said Melbourne's changes will likely be expected to be taken outside in the same way that people take their wallets with them.
More to come.
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