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Two new COVID-19 cases have been confirmed for patients with addresses in regional Victoria.
Premier Daniel Andrews said the two patients contracted COVID-19 while in Melbourne. Neither person has returned to regional Victoria.
It meant there were 11 active cases in regional Victoria although the new infections, Mr Andrews said, would not affect the regional 14-day rolling average, which was 0.8 cases per day on Friday.
Mr Andrews said seven of the eight deaths confirmed since Thursday were linked to aged care. In total, COVID-19 has claimed 781 lives in Victoria.
The state government also announced support for year 12 students completing vocational education.
Special consideration will be available to alll VCAL students.
There are also measures in place for VET students.
"Students who do not complete their VET qualificationsin 2020 asintended, will be guaranteed enrolment at a TAFE or dual sector provider and have their 2021 VET fees waived in order to complete their course, or an equivalent course where it is not provided," the government said.
"Not only will this support students to continue their studies, it'll save families hundreds of dollars in tuition fees."
Earlier
Eight deaths have been added to the state's coronavirus toll overnight.
Figures released by the Department of Health and Human Serviced showed there were 14 new infections recorded.
The rolling 14-day average for new cases in regional Victoria dropped below one. There were no regional cases from an unknown source.
Central Victoria's number of active cases has remained steady this week at three - two in the Macedon Ranges and one in Greater Bendigo.
Other news
Bendigo Health is encouraging people who drive as part of their jobs to be tested for COVID-19 even if they aren't showing symptoms.
The push is part of a state government strategy to ensure coronavirus isn't going undetected in communities.
Commercial passenger and food delivery drivers including taxi, bus and Uber drivers as well as pizza, food service and bulk food delivery drivers, can be tested at clinics in Bendigo and will not have to isolate if they are not showing symptoms.
In Melbourne, Premier Daniel Andrews is due to give evidence later today to the hotel quarantine inquiry.
The premier is likely to be grilled on Friday over the fateful decision to hire private security guards to oversee returned travellers, rather than the police or the Australian Defence Force, who assisted in NSW and Queensland.
