Lockdown from tonight, expanded vaccination

Victoria will go into a seven day lockdown from midnight tonight.

Acting Premier James Merlino said there were now 34 cases in the community and 150 exposure sites and with 10,000 primary and secondary contacts identified so far, the lockdown was an essential circuit breaker.

He said health experts were extremely concerned about the speed of the Covid variant, describing it as "quick and contagious".

During the lockdown, there would only be five reasons for Victorians to leave their homes.

• Work or education
• Exercise (for up to two hours, within 5km of home)
• Shopping for essential items (within 5km of home, or closest shop. Limit of one person per day, per household)
• Caregiving and care
• Vaccination

Face masks must be work inside and outdoors - everywhere except your own home.

Private and public gatherings will not be permitted. Visiting an intimate partner or single person bubbles will be permitted.

Schools will return to remote learning (except for vulnerable children and children of essential workers), but early learning centres and childcare will remain open.

Retail, entertainment, gyms, hairdressers, accommodation and hospitality venues will close.

More information available at www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au and at www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/victorias-restriction-levels-covid-19

Vaccination expanded

Mr Merlino said over 40,000 people were tested in Victoria yesterday - a record for the state, and 12,677 people were vaccinated.

He announced the vaccination roll out in state run clinics would be expanded to include people aged 40 - 49, who could receive the Pfizer vaccine.

He urged everyone to book in for a vaccination as soon as possible, saying "vaccination is our only real ticket out of this pandemic".