Victoria has gone 11 straight days without a new local coronavirus infection as residents stuck in Brisbane are now free to come home.
From just over 11,000 tests received in the 24 hours to Sunday, Victoria recorded no new locally acquired cases.
There were seven COVID-19 cases detected in hotel quarantine, bringing the total number of active infections in the state to 30.
The risk rating for Greater Brisbane was downgraded from “red” to “orange” on Saturday evening, allowing Victorians stuck there to cross the border with a permit.
The Victorian border was shut to anyone in Brisbane, Moreton Bay, the Redlands, Logan and Ipswich for more than a week after a hotel quarantine worker and her partner tested positive for the highly infectious UK strain of COVID-19.
But with no local transmission since those cases were identified, Victorian health authorities’ anxiety has eased.
Returnees still need to apply for a travel permit, which they will receive automatically. They must also take a coronavirus test within three days of their arrival and self-quarantine until they receive a negative result.
Environment Minister Lily D’Ambrosio on Sunday said 20,571 applications had been made for permits under Victoria’s “traffic light” system in the past 24 hours.
Victorians stranded in Sydney have been given hope they will be able to return home soon as well, with Premier Daniel Andrews flagging on Saturday that he was preparing to dramatically reduce the red zone in NSW.
An announcement will come in the next day or two, Mr Andrews said.
It comes as workers prepare to return to offices after initial plans were put on hold for a week because of the Black Rock cluster.
Private workplaces can return to 50 per cent capacity from Monday, while public service offices can return to 25 per cent capacity.
Likewise, mask rules will be eased to pre-Christmas levels.
That means they will only be mandatory in some settings, including supermarkets, large indoor retail areas, public transport, hospitals and airports.
