Greater Bendigo has seen another slight increase in COVID-19 cases after the region recorded four new on Wednesday.

This has taken the total number of active cases to 59 and 950 since the beginning of the pandemic.

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Mount Alexander Shire has recorded one new case, as has the Campaspe Shire.

The Macedon Ranges has recorded five new cases and now has 50 active cases in total.

The Loddon and Buloke Shire have become COVID-free with zero active cases currently in their local government areas.

12.10pm

Victorians will see changes to COVID-19 restrictions from Wednesday after Minister for Health Martin Foley signed new pandemic orders under the new Public Health and Wellbeing Act.

Mr Foley made the decision to sign the orders after considering advice from Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton that there continues to be a serious risk to public health from the global pandemic, and that restrictions continue to be necessary to protect Victorians and the healthcare system.

"These measures strike a balance between the risk of community transmission, and the protection that comes from being one of the most vaccinated jurisdictions in the world,' he said.

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"All Victorians are eligible for a booster shot five months after their second dose and are urged to book an appointment as soon as possible.

"This will keep families safe during the holiday period and help slow the spread of the virus."

In particular, Prof. Sutton has highlighted the need to gather more information about the Omicron variant of concern before considering further changes to protective measures - such as mask requirements.

All Victorians who are eligible for a booster five months after their second shot are urged to book an appointment as soon as possible - especially those at higher risk of contracting the virus, such as healthcare workers.

Ensuring children are protected from coronavirus is also vital, and parents are encouraged to get their kids vaccinated when the rollout for five to 11-year-olds begins on January 10, 2022.

As part of the orders, people under 18 will no longer be required to show proof of their vaccination status at all venues, such as hospitality.

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The mandatory vaccination requirement will be removed for all customers in retail, except hair and beauty services, and will also be removed in real estate, places of worship, weddings and funerals. Mask settings in retail remain unchanged.

Under the pandemic orders, restaurants, cafes, bars and pubs are still only open to fully vaccinated patrons and staff. Workers are required to wear masks.

Face masks no longer need to be worn at weddings, funerals, or ceremonial settings. If these events are held at places of worship there will not be any vaccination requirements or limits on participants, nor any requirement for organisers to check vaccination status.

If the ceremony is at a hospitality setting, vaccine requirements will apply.

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Workplaces exposed to a positive coronavirus case will no longer need to be deep cleaned, after mounting international evidence that coronavirus is an airborne or droplet-borne disease and the likelihood of becoming infected by touching a surface is very low risk.

In addition, tour and transport operators, gyms and creative arts premises such as theatres and cinemas will not need to clean equipment between uses.

Workplaces will still need to maintain CovidSafe plans.

Elective surgery rules are also being updated, with rural and regional health services able to resume up to 75 per cent of normal elective surgery activity.

The order, the CHO advice, the Minister's Statement of Reasons and the Human Rights Statement will be published on the Department of Health website within seven working days of the orders coming into effect.

Earlier

Victoria has seen 1405 new COVID-19 cases overnight, taking the state's active cases to 11,518.

Sadly, three people died of coronavirus.

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There was 10,781 vaccinations administered at state-run clinics yesterday which means 92 per cent of Victorians aged 12 and over have been fully vaccinated for coronavirus.

Hospitals have 84 Victorians are in the ICU and 46 are on ventilators.

There were more than 77,000 tests conducted in the last 24 hours.

As of Tuesday, the Greater Bendigo region recorded five new cases, but the area's total active cases dropped to 56.

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The Victorian Government is urging anyone who was Sircuit Bar, Fitzroy, between 9pm and midnight on December 10 and The Peel Hotel, Collingwood between 11.30pm and 3am on December 10 to quarantine after a case positive with the Omicron variant attended.

It is estimated about 320 people were at the Peel Hotel and more than 410 people were at Sircuit during these times.

People who were at these venues during the specified times are considered close contacts and must quarantine immediately. Those who are are fully vaccinated, you must quarantine for seven days while unvaccinated people must quarantine for 14 days.

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People quarantining should also get a PCR test as soon as possible. They must have another PCR test the day before their quarantine period ends. The result must be negative before leaving quarantine.

Anyone who tests negative but then develop symptoms should get retested.

People who live with those in quarantine are not required to be tested but anyone who is symptomatic should isolate and get tested as soon as possible.

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Most states and territories are set to relax their border closures and COVID-19 restrictions in time for Christmas, but depending on where you're going and where you're coming from, the rules look very different.

So here's what you need to know if you're hoping to travel this Christmas and New Year period:

Regardless of where you're travelling from in Australia, you will now no longer need a permit or proof of vaccination to enter Victoria.

However, in some cases and in some venues you will still need to show proof of vaccination to enter, so it's probably safest to check with your destination activities before you head to the state.

While you will not need a permit or proof of vaccination to enter NSW, if you are coming from Victoria and you're over 16, you will need to be fully vaccinated.

Travellers from hotspot locations and close contacts of cases will not be permitted to enter the state.

Permits may only be required if you are travelling from ACT or Victoria, and in some cases, you may be required to show a negative COVID test if you have been listed as a casual contact.

You can read more here.

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