A further 275 coronavirus cases have been detected in Victoria in the past 24 hours.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
On Monday, Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews said a woman in her 80s had died, taking the state's death toll from the virus to 39.
He also commented on the uptake of the state government's direction on Friday that regional Victorians must wear masks when they are not able to socially distance.
"I have heard it is quite noticeable in regional cities the number of people that are doing that which is very heartening," he said.
"It (wearing a mask) is unusual, but it will make a difference, that's the medical advice to me. Masks across the board will make a difference."
Mr Andrews acknowledged a Sunday directive from NSW that Victorian residents will only be able to travel across the border for work, education and health. He said residents of bordertowns with twin towns in NSW saw where they lived as "one town".
"I know there will be some practical issues people have to work through but I have an open line of communication with my colleagues in NSW. It won't be easy, but I can understand why Premier (Gladys) Berejiklian has made the decisions she has."
Mr Andrews did not mention a similar directive by the South Australian government issued on Monday morning, putting similar restrictions on Victorian residents.
"The provision permitting a person to move to South Australia to reside has been removed," it reads.
Of the new cases, 28 are linked to known and contained outbreaks and 247 are under investigation.
Currently there are 147 people being treated in hospital for the illness and 31 of those are receiving intensive care.
The announcement follows the state and federal government committing to new financial support for Victoria's aged care industry on Monday morning.
In a statement, federal Aged Care Minister Richard Colbeck and state Health Minister Jenny Mikakos said funding will be made available by the Federal Government to residential and home care providers to:
- Ensure aged care employers can cover any additional entitlements to enable employees to work at a single site;
- Engage and train additional staff where existing employees are unable to work due to self-isolation requirements and/or where a more intensive workforce mix is required;
- Support aged care workers who are unable to work due to symptoms, self-isolation or travel restrictions, regardless of whether they would usually receive paid leave.
- Provide alternative accommodation so workers who live or work in hotspots can continue to work.
More to come.
