'Nothing finalised' on lifting of Victoria's lockdown as state records 11 new local COVID-19 cases

Health Minister Martin Foley says a decision on easing restrictions has not been finalised yet.

Victoria has recorded 11 local cases of COVID-19.

Victoria has recorded 11 local cases of COVID-19. Source: AAP

Victoria has reported 11 new local COVID-19 cases - all linked to the state's Delta variant outbreaks and in isolation for their entire infectious period.

More than 25,000 test results were received in the 24 hours to midnight on Monday, while almost 14,000 vaccine doses were administered at state-run sites during the same period.

Health Minister Martin Foley said on Monday morning no decision on whether the state's lockdown would be extended past midnight on Tuesday had been made yet. 

"Nothing has yet been finalised - but we are mindful of the need to make a decision as soon as possible," he said.
The statewide lockdown was called on 15 July due to an outbreak of the highly contagious Delta variant, which originated from cases in NSW.

Premier Daniel Andrews on Sunday said he was confident the lockdown wouldn't be extended again, citing the downward trend in the number of people in the community while infectious.

Victoria also recorded 11 new locally acquired COVID-19 cases on Sunday, all of which were linked to known outbreaks and were in quarantine for their entire infectious period.
"These numbers are the trend that we wanted to see, these numbers are more than promising, but we just have to wait and see what comes through tomorrow and Tuesday to be certain that we can ease restrictions," Mr Andrews told reporters.

"I will foreshadow, there will still be rules after midnight Tuesday, it'll be important that we all follow them."

Victorian cabinet ministers and the public health team are meeting on Monday to discuss the new set of restrictions, but Mr Andrews flagged masks will remain compulsory for some time.

There are 190 active cases of COVID-19 in Victoria.  

With Biwa Kwan.


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2 min read
Published 26 July 2021 8:33am
Updated 26 July 2021 12:10pm
Source: AAP, SBS



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