Victoria appears to have eliminated local transmission of the coronavirus after going four weeks without any new transmission of the virus.
The Victorian Health Department confirmed the milestone on Friday, following another 13,800 tests and said that 28 days with no new infections means the virus has been eliminated from the community, given that timeframe represents two 14-day incubation periods.
It comes as restrictions are set to significantly ease from 6 pm on Friday.
Victorians will now be able to have 100 visitors at home, up from the previous cap of 30, while public gatherings can double from 100 to 200.
Masks will no longer be required in retail settings, though Victorians will still need to wear them on public transport, in taxis and rideshare vehicles and in aged care facilities and hospitals.
Density limits will be eased at casinos, nightclubs and karaoke venues from one person per four square metres to one person per two square metres, bringing the venues into line with cafes, pubs and restaurants around the state.
The 50-person cap on dancefloors will also be scrapped and offices will now be able to increase their capacity from 75 percent to 100 percent. Although they will have to maintain a density limit of one person per two square metres in all areas.
International flights will also resume to the state from April, 8.
Overseas flights haven’t arrived in Melbourne since Feb. 13, after hotel quarantine workers contracted the UK strain of the coronavirus from travellers at the Holiday Inn near the Melbourne Airport.
The outbreak, which grew to 24 cases, triggered a five-day lockdown.
The state’s active cases have now dropped to zero, for the first time since Dec. 10 last year.
