PREMIER Daniel Andrews has made a case for continued emergency powers after a backlash to his hopes of a 12 month extension.

The premier says it is critical the chief health officer has the capacity to make decisions.

He has added that the rules will likely be very different from those Victorians are living under right now.

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"It's very important that, beyond the 13th of September, we have the ability to make rules so that we can open up, so that businesses survive and we can make sure people can get back on their feet," Mr Andrews said.

"And then (we) can begin a massive program of jobs and skills and trying to put the strength back into the Victorian economy."

Mr Andrews said the government was having "very productive" discussions with upper house cross-bench.

Many members of that large and diverse group have so far been lukewarm at best to an extension, though a number have told journalists they are open to shorter extensions that could aid parliament's oversight role.

Earlier

VICTORIAN Premier Daniel Andrews says 23 people currently have COVID-19 in the Bendigo area in a briefing to media this morning.

It suggests numbers have remained steady since yesterday afternoon, when another two positive COVID-19 tests were recorded in the Greater Bendigo area in an update yesterday afternoon.

Health authorities are expected to update central Victorian numbers this afternoon.

Mr Andrews has urged people to keep getting tested even as the second wave of infections continue to subside.

He has told journalists waiting times for tests are dropping and urged people to keep getting tested.

The Department of Health and Human Services this morning published data showing 149 new cases were recorded across Victoria in the past 24 hours.

It also revealed 24 people died in the same period, which was the highest since 17 August.

More to come.

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