12.40pm
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GREATER Bendigo's active COVID-19 numbers have remained more or less steady as authorities race to bring in restrictions to slow Omicron's spread.
The municipality has recorded seven new cases but enough people no longer have the virus that overall numbers have climbed just one to 78.
Two new cases have been found in Bendigo's 3550 postcode, two in the 3551 area and one in Kangaroo Flat's 3555 zone.
Another case has been found in Heathcote's 3523 postcode.
The last case appears to have been found in the 3453 area, which encompasses Ravenswood and other areas south of Big Hill.
Elsewhere in the region, the Mount Alexander Shire has recorded seven new cases, the Macedon Ranges six and Campaspe four.
The Loddon and Central Goldfield shires recorded one case each.
Gannawarra recorded zero new cases.
The new statistics have come after the state government announced it was bringing back masks indoors and at large events over concerns about the Omicron variant.
Victoria currently has 71 COVID-19 cases - a small fraction of the 14,801 currently active across the state.
However, Omicron is arriving as Delta numbers continue to climb.
Victoria recorded 2005 new cases on Wednesday. It was the highest daily number recorded in two months.
Keep scrolling down to find more details on incoming mask mandates.
12.30pm
CASTLEMAINE Primary School's COVID-19 cluster has grown again on a day the state government issued new mask rules to combat Omicron's spread.
The cluster has grown to 63 cases and remains the largest in the state for the third day in a row, according to new statistics published by the Department of Health this afternoon.
Lockington Consolidated Primary School's cluster is now the third largest in the state after its case numbers grew by one to 41.
It was the fifth largest the day before.
Victory Christian College's Strathdale cluster has grown by one to 12.
The department is yet to publish statistics on the number of new COVID-19 cases that were found across local government municipalities. That is expected some time this afternoon.
11.45am
In order to take steps to ensure the community's safety over the holidays, updated mask rules will come into place from 11.59pm Thursday night.
As a measure to reduce hospitalisations, masks will return indoors (except in the home) for people aged eight years and over.
Masks will also be required when moving around major events with more than 30,000 people, however not when patrons are seated outdoors.
"We're able to keep our state open because more than 90 per cent of Victorians got vaccinated, in record time," acting Premier James Merlino said.
"We're not going back to lockdowns, we're vaccinating our way through.
"These are modest but meaningful steps we can take over summer to ensure we stay open see the people we love this Christmas.
"Masks and boosters mean less COVID exposure, fewer workers in isolation, and more businesses open and disruption free."
Mr Merlino said lockdowns are not under consideration because Victorians have made the state one of the most vaccinated places in the world.
To protect themselves and others, people are being encouraged to take advantage of this festive period to work from home - until more data about the spread of the emerging Omicron variant is gathered and examined.
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Those who want to be as COVIDSafe as possible are also strongly encouraged to stick to seated service while inside hospitality venues rather than moving around crowded venues, and to save their dance moves for dancefloors in well ventilated outdoor areas.
With expert modelling and health advice showing that a third dose of the COVID-19 vaccine will be vital in the fight against Omicron, the state government will invest $31.6 million to support the Commonwealth's booster program.
The massive scale-up will support a significant expansion of state-run vaccination centres, as well as the rapid recruitment and training of new workers - ensuring up to 900,000 doses can be delivered every week in Victoria.
"If you're eligible, it's vital that you step forward to protect yourself and your loved ones from serious disease, and keep our state safe, open and thriving," Minister for Health Martin Foley said.
"These changes will help us protect the most vulnerable people in the community while more Victorians go and get their third dose."
To help increase vaccination capacity, temporary sites are being set up at prominent shopping centre locations.
Over the coming weeks, 28 vaccination pop-ups will open and current fixed sites will expand to operate 12 hours a day, seven days a week.
A re-run of a successful grants program for GPs and pharmacies will help them deliver vaccinations across the 23 Local Government Areas where there is lower primary care coverage, with expressions of interest for the grants of up to $15,000 opening on Thursday.
While the Commonwealth is responsible for the third dose rollout in private residential aged care, the state government is taking further steps to protect aged care residents by making more booster shots available to them, with every resident in Victoria's public aged care facilities set to be offered a booster by Christmas Day.
As the Government awaits updated dose interval ATAGI advice, the planned scale up to support third doses will launch on January 4, 2022.
All Victorians who are eligible for a third dose 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.
For information about coronavirus visit coronavirus.vic.gov.au or call 1800 675 398.
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.
Earlier
Victoria's COVID-19 case numbers have climbed back above 2000 in the past 24 hours and 10 people have died.
The Department of Health and Human Services have added 2005 cases to the tally.
There are now 14,801 active cases across the state.
People continue to come forward for testing with 85,112 test results received in the past 24 hours. There have also been 16,758 vaccinations since Wednesday.
Greater Bendigo logged its 1000th case on Wednesday after the region recorded five more cases to take its total to 1004 with 77 active cases.
Elsewhere, the Campaspe Shire has recorded seven new cases, the Central Goldfields four and Macedon Ranges four. The Loddon and Gannawarra shires recorded no new cases.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison met with the national cabinet on Wednesday and announced GPs and pharmacists will from Thursday receive an extra $10 for each booster they administer.
He said the move was "well received" by premiers and chief ministers.
State hubs will also be brought back online to accelerate the booster rollout.
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