While the Premier's plan on what comes next might not have pleased many country Victorians, the glimmer of hope was always going to be about new case numbers.

Read more: Active coronavirus cases in Bendigo at two, no new cases for regional Victoria

We were told that once the daily average coronavirus case numbers for regional Victoria over a rolling two-week period dropped below five, we would be one step closer to an easing in restrictions.

Yesterday, that magic number we have all longed for dropped below five to 4.9.

We've ticked the first box.

But, we also need for there to be zero unknown or mystery cases detected in regional Victoria for 14 days before things can be expected to change, and therein lies our next challenge.

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Frustratingly, this number remains a mystery in itself, a circumstance that will do little to satisfy approximately 1.4 million regional Victorians who are desperate for change.

We need more clarity about mystery cases, and with so much at stake, we're entitled to it.

Regional Victorians have demonstrated their willingness to embrace everything this virus has thrown at them, including the harsh lockdown of our state.

We've been patient, tolerant and accepting of the protocols put in place to protect our health and safety, even when we knew it was causing so much stress.

We've earned the right to be kept as up to date and informed of the progress regional Victoria is making, and the steps towards better times we have taken.

It's time for the state government, for health officials and for community and business leaders to ensure they are fully prepared to help migrate regional Victoria onto the next stage of restrictions as soon as we are eligible to make the change.

We need to know more about the mystery cases that are hampering our progress.

And we need to ensure we continue to take the necessary precautions to avoid undoing the good work done and the sacrifices we've made so far.