Source: ABCnews

Victoria has recorded 705 new locally acquired cases of COVID-19 and one more death.

It brings the total death toll of the current outbreak to 25.

The cases were detected from 51,252 test results processed on Sunday.

At state-run sites, 29,657 doses of the vaccine were administered.

The City of Greater Geelong and Surf Coast Shire left lockdown at 11:59pm Sunday, with only metropolitan Melbourne and Mitchell Shire remaining in lockdown.

The emergency department at Melbourne’s Alfred Hospital has been identified as a tier 1 exposure site, along with retail outlets in Wodonga and Traralgon.

Victoria is expected to reach its target of having 80 per cent of the population aged 16 and older vaccinated with at least one dose this week.

Victorians aged 16+ vaccination coverage

On the weekend, Premier Daniel Andrews confirmed a modest easing of restrictions would occur across metropolitan Melbourne and regional Victoria from Wednesday.

The travel radius will be extended from 10 to 15 kilometres, while contactless recreational activities such as golf, tennis and boating will be allowed to resume.

The next milestone in Victoria’s roadmap after that is the staggered return of onsite learning at schools across Melbourne and regional Victoria from October 5.

Vaccinated economy trials in regional Victoria

Parts of regional Victoria will soon stage “vaccinated economy” trials, where only double-dosed patrons are allowed to enter certain venues.

The trials are scheduled to begin from October 11.

Bendigo Heritage Attractions CEO James Reade told ABC Radio Melbourne the biggest concern for regional business owners was the role staff would have to play around enforcing the rules.

“I think that’s going to be really key … making sure our staff on the frontline, who effectively become the vaccination police, have clear understanding of what their role is and what we can and can’t do,” Mr Reade said.

“Asking for a driver’s licence is one thing, asking for someone’s medical history is another thing.”

Mr Reade said vaccines had not been mandated yet across the tourism sector, something he hoped was in the works.

“Hopefully the state government are going to mandate that across our industries as well to make it clearer for employers around their role,” he said.

Melbourne has been excluded from the trials, but the city’s Lord Mayor Sally Capp said the demand was incredibly high for the vaccinated economy trials.

“I’ve been inundated with people who want to be involved in the trial,” Ms Capp said.

She admitted the low levels of staffing allowed meant enforcement of vaccination requirements would rely on the integrity of customers.

“There is going to need to be an element of trust and good will in the community.”