Victoria's slowing trend of coronavirus infections has continued, with the state recording 240 new cases and 13 deaths on Thursday.
The state recorded 216 new infections on Wednesday, its lowest daily increase in COVID-19 cases in more than five weeks, while active cases also dropped by 119.
Thursday's numbers continue what is becoming a downward trend in new cases for the state.
"We are trending down and that's a very good sign," Victoria's Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton said on Wednesday.
"The number of active cases in aged care is stabilising, the numbers in ICU and on ventilators have been pretty stable in the last couple of weeks."
Meanwhile, the Premier Daniel Andrews refused to be drawn on when exactly stage 4 lockdown would be wound back.
"We have numbers in the low 200s, the trend is good. We have to acknowledge that even at that number, even at that half number, if you opened up, you wouldn’t have defeated the second wave, you’d just be beginning the process of a third wave. I don’t think anyone wants that," he told reporters on Thursday.
He reminded people that Melbourne was only in its third week of stage 4 lockdown.
"We just can’t extrapolate from that data where we’re going to be in a week’s time, where we’re going to be in three weeks’ time, two, three, four five weeks’ time," he said.
"It’s just really difficult to know. We would also look to be as proportionate to the challenge as possible. If something like the curfew was deemed to be no longer necessary, then it will come off."
Despite the decreasing case numbers, Mr Sutton said it was still critical for anyone with even mild symptoms to come forward for testing.
Melbourne is in the third week of a strict level-four lockdown, while the rest of Victoria is under level-three restrictions. Both are due to end on 13 September.
Metropolitan Melbourne residents are subject to Stage 4 restrictions and must comply with a curfew between the hours of 8pm and 5am. During the curfew, people in Melbourne can only leave their house for work, and essential health, care or safety reasons.
Rent rise freeze
The Victorian government on Thursday announced the freeze on rental rises and rent evictions will extend until 31 December.
Treasurer Tim Pallas said commercial landlords will have to provide rent relief that's in proportion to the fall in turnover being suffered by eligible tenants.
"Nobody should be worried about losing a roof over their head right now," Mr Pallas said.
"We need to provide certainty to people who lose their homes or their businesses, and we need to help tenants and landlords find some common ground."
In the last four months, the government said there had been nearly 26,000 agreements struck for reduced rent.
Landlords can also apply for an increased land tax discount, which will be doubled from 25 per cent to 50 per cent.
A $60 million hardship scheme will provide up to $3,000 each for eligible small commercial landlords.
Residential tenants and landlords can apply for $3,000 in rental payments through the rental relief grand program.
Between 5am and 8pm, people in Melbourne can leave the home for exercise, to shop for necessary goods and services, for work, for health care, or to care for a sick or elderly relative.
All Victorians must wear a face covering when they leave home, no matter where they live.
People in Australia must stay at least 1.5 metres away from others. Check your state’s restrictions on gathering limits.
If you are experiencing cold or flu symptoms, stay home and arrange a test by calling your doctor or contact the Coronavirus Health Information Hotline on 1800 020 080.
