The regions progress to the third step of the roadmap at midnight on Wednesday, which will see restrictions on travel within the state eased.

Travel between regional Victoria and metropolitan Melbourne remains heavily restricted, and vehicle checkpoints have been established on major freeways and arterial roads.

Though, there is concern from some in regional communities that not enough is being done to prevent people from leaving Melbourne's stage four lockdown.

COVID-19 UPDATE: Face masks here to stay in third step

On Tuesday, it was confirmed a Melbourne woman had been fined after she was found to be in Horsham without a valid reason.

Member for Western Victoria Stuart Grimley said more needed to be done to protect regional Victorians.

"I look forward to the imminent announcement about increasing the checks at the 'ring of marshmallow' to ensure our regional townships are not put at risk by those travelling from metropolitan areas," he said.

"Regional Victoria has done its part in reducing case numbers, and we are relying on the government to also do their part in ensuring the contact tracing is conducted swiftly and effectively."

Premier Daniel Andrews is expected to announce today new enforcement measures to protect regional Victoria.

MAKING NEWS ACROSS THE WIMMERA:

As of Wednesday morning, there were 43 active cases in regional local government areas.

Liberal Member for Western Victoria Bev McArthur said low case numbers showed restrictions could be eased in regional Victoria even further.

"I am very pleased that the Premier has taken on board my plea and those of thousands of individuals, businesses, local government authorities, schools, industry and families to 'unlock' the regions," Mrs McArthur said.

"The second shutdown has been disastrous - made worse by the sheer fact that it was completely avoidable.

"What price do you put on this? The billions lost by businesses - the billions spent trying to patch the holes created by reckless incompetence - how do they match the lost lives, missed education, the mental despair?"

"This is an easing of restrictions, not the cessation of restrictions. There is much more to be done to unlock rural and regional Victoria and the state in general. We cannot continue with these draconian dictates any longer."

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