Modest easing to restrictions from 11.59 pm Friday, 17 September in lockdown areas of metropolitan Melbourne and Ballarat

From 11.59 pm tonight, the City of Ballarat will have the same restrictions – except for the curfew – in place as Metropolitan, Melbourne.

From 11.59 pm on Thursday 9 September, the five reasons to leave the home will be removed in regional Victoria, except for Greater Shepparton.

For senior students sitting year 12 exams from Tuesday 7 September until Friday 17 September a priority vaccination program will be put in place.

Hobsons Bay, Hume and Wyndham areas of concern with maximum caseloads.

The NSW Government will waive the ambulance fee for patients unwell with, or suspected to have, COVID-19.

It now seems unlikely that NSW – and maybe even Victoria – will be able to suppress COVID down to zero before any vaccination target is reached.

The state-run centres include three new drive-through vaccination sites, at the Former Ford Factory in Broadmeadows, at Sandown Racecourse in Springvale and at the Eagle Stadium in Werribee.

Health Authorities are strongly recommending that primary school-aged children, when they are not at home, also wear a mask as an extra precaution against this virus.

While the restrictions commence from 11.59 pm tonight, Premier is asking people to respect the curfew from 9 pm.