2.25pm
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The Macedon Ranges Shire has recorded one new case of coronavirus taking their total to 15.
It is the only new case recorded in the central Victoria region.
There is now five active cases of COVID-19 in the Macedon Ranges.
Other active cases in the region are in Greater Bendigo (4) and Loddon (1).
Total cases for central Victoria's local government areas see Macedon Ranges with the most (15).
Greater Bendigo has had 14 total cases, Mount Alexander Shire six, Campaspe five, Loddon four, Gannawarra 2 and Central Goldfields one.
The Buloke Shire is one of six local government areas in the state to not yet record a COVID-19 case.
EARLIER
Victoria has recorded 403 new coronavirus cases overnight, as residents in Melbourne and the Mitchell Shire must now wear masks or risk a fine.
The state now has 7125 cases with 3630 of them active. Five people have died of the coronavirus in the past 24 hours taking the state's death toll to 49.
The number comes on the day where people in Victoria's lockdown regions of metropolitan Melbourne and Mitchell Shire must wear masks when they are outdoors.
People can receive a $200 fine for not following the new rule.
Regional Victorian residents are being encouraged to wear masks but it is not compulsory. There are 113 active COVID-19 cases in regional Victoria.
Victorian premier Daniel Andrews Andrews said regional Victoria was not seeing the same rate of growth in cases as metropolitan areas.
"We are still seeing some cases in regional Victoria (but) we're not seeing the sort of growth in regional Victoria that sees us change settings dramatically. That's pleasing," he said.
"We talked of the prospect of easing restrictions (in regional areas) but we won't until we see numbers slow and drive them down further.
"(Regional Victorians) don't have the same rules but there are still rules. (People in regional areas) are not required to where a mask but if you are out and can't maintain 1.5 metres of social distance, we ask you wear mask or a face covering."
The breakdown of the newest cases by local government area will be released later in the day. On Wednesday, no new cases were recorded in central Victoria.
As of Tuesday, there were nine active cases across the region: four each in Greater Bendigo and Macedon Ranges Shire, and one in Loddon Shire.
Mr Andrews said people will be able to access a payment after being tested to ensure they are compensated for missing work while waiting for results.
It comes after people raised concerns about missing work while self isolating and waiting to get tested.
"As a direct response to that, a payment of $300 is available to anybody who has taken a test and needs to isolate until they gets test results, is in work but does not have sick leave to fall back on."
People hoping to secure the payment can contact the COVID-19 hotline.
"It is a relatively simple and easy process," Mr Andrews said. "People provide a payslip or statutory declaration.
"We have people feeling unwell that don't want to get tested quick enough because they are fearful of not going to work. this $300 payment will go a long way to supporting those families.
"If it is a positive case, they will be eligible for a further $1500 payment, which we make as quick as possible.
"There is further administration details to come on that but it is about making sure that choice between feeding and providing for family doesn't compromise you making bad choices (by not getting tested).
"It ensures people are no worse off and that all Victorians are better off."
We have removed our paywall from this story about the coronavirus. This is a rapidly changing situation and we want to make sure our readers are as informed as possible. If you would like to support our journalists, subscribe here.