Mask rules tweaked as new national COVID-19 case record set in Victoria

Two of Victoria’s mask rules have been tweaked.

Restrictions will change at midnight tonight to allow the removal of masks outdoors for the consumption of alcohol.

Mask rules will also be tightened in Victorian schools.

Children in grade three and above will have to wear a mask indoors on-site at school.

Masks are strongly recommended for students in prep to grade two, but they are not mandatory.

Previously, masks were only mandated at schools for children aged 12 or older.

The mask changes come as Victoria recorded a record new daily COVID-19 case number.

There were 1838 new cases recorded yesterday.

Sadly, another five people – all aged in their 70s and 80s – died after contracting the virus.

Where the new cases are:

• Melbourne’s northern suburbs: 631 new cases (35 per cent of total new cases today)
• Melbourne’s western suburbs: 553 new cases (30 per cent of total new cases today)
• Melbourne’s south-eastern suburbs: 424 new cases (23 per cent of total new cases today)
• Melbourne’s eastern suburbs: 107 new cases
• Regional Victoria: 113 new cases (6 per cent of today’s total new case number).
  • Largest regional numbers: Greater Geelong – 18 new cases; Baw Baw – 11 new cases; Ballarat – 10 new cases; Mildura – seven new cases; Shepparton – 13 new cases