Victorian Premier announces 671 coronavirus cases, state restrictions tighten

Portland District Health chief executive Chris Giles said the new cases are from testing undertaken on July 31 and it was not known if they are linked to the existing outbreak.

"I don't have a lot of details about these cases as yet but have been in touch with the Geelong COVID-19 tracing team and they are starting contact tracing," Ms Giles said.

Ms Giles said any close contact of the two new cases would be contacted by the contact tracing team to organise priority testing and any locations that are impacted will also be notified.

Portland District Health is aware of nine active cases in the city.

Anyone with any symptoms to stay home, and ring the PDH Fever Clinic on 5521 0387 to get testing underway.

UPDATE 4.25pm: An additional four positive cases of coronavirus have been linked to the Australian Lamb Company outbreak in Colac.

The Department of Health and Human Services confirmed there was 72 cases linked to the meat processor bringing the Colac-Otway Shire active cases total to 88.

Warrnambool City, Glenelg, Moyne and Southern Grampians Shires have recorded no further cases in the past 24 hours.

Glenelg Shire currently has 11 active cases, Warrnambool and Southern Grampians have one active case and Moyne has none.

UPDATE 4pm: Brauer College principal Jane Boyle said schools are prepared to return to remote learning on Wednesday.

Premier Daniel Andrews announced schools across the state would go to school as normal on Monday, have a pupil-free day on Tuesday and revert to remote learning on Wednesday as a State of Disaster was announced.

Mrs Boyle said students will be shocked by the announcement, but will adapt well.

"The school is completely prepared and we're ready to go," she said.

"We got feedback from students, parents and staff about remote learning and most of them said they did it very well.

"We'll ensure the strategies they spoke about will be put back in place for success this time."

The only exception to remote learning will be for specialist schools and there will be onsite supervision for students whose parents are essential workers and vulnerable children.

UPDATE 3pm: The owner of a Warrnambool eatery is devastated by Premier Daniel Andrews' announcement.

Macey's Bistro owner Peter 'Cork' Walsh said he was concerned about his staff more than anything.

He said while the majority were on JobKeeper, the income of many would be affected and it also had an impact on their emotional well-being.

"It's really devastating," Mr Walsh said.

"We'll have to go into lockdown like we did last time."

Mr Walsh said he would consider offering takeaway meals and the bottleshop would remain open.

UPDATE 2.45pm: School students across Victoria will return to online learning on Wednesday.

Premier Daniel Andrews made the announcement on Sunday.

He said parents who had work commitments would be allowed to send their children to school, but all other students will be required to remain at home.

Mr Andrews said students would attend school on Monday as usual, have a pupil free day on Tuesday and return to online learning on Wednesday.

He confirmed 671 positive coronavirus cases have been recorded in the past 24 hours bringing the states total to 11,557.

From 6pm tonight, a State of Disaster has been declared for the state and Regional Victoria will revert back to Stage 3 restrictions from Thursday.

Regional Victorians will not be able to leave their homes except for the four reasons:

Businesses in regional Victoria will also return to Stage 3 restrictions.That means restaurants and cafes can only offer delivery and takeaway. Beauty and personal services will need to close. Entertainment and cultural venues will need to close. Community sport will need to stop.

Metropolitan Melbourne will have additional limits to four reasons to leave home.

Of the 671 positive cases confirmed, 598 under investigation by the Department of Health and Human Services.

There has also been seven deaths overnight taking the State's total to 123.

There are 385 in hospital and 38 in Intensive Care.

Over the past 24 hours, there have been about 18,000 coronavirus screenings across the state.

"As of today, and this number will only grow, we have 760 mystery cases that are active where we cannot trace back the source of that person's infection," Mr Andrews said.

"That community transmission is in many respect our biggest challenge (and) they are in Regional Victoria as well.

"We have to do more and do them right now."

Across Victoria, masks are mandatory when leaving homes and those who do not wear masks, scarf or a bandana to cover their faces will be subject to a $200 fine from Victorian Police.

The Colac-Otway, Greater Geelong, Surf Coast, Golden Plains, Moorabool and the Borough of Queenscliffe local government areas continue to have visitor bans.

Earlier, 11.00am: It is understood more than 650 coronavirus cases have been recorded in the past 24 hours as Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews prepares to front a press conference in Melbourne at 2.30pm.

Daniel Andrews is expected to announce some of the hardest restrictions imposed since the beginning of the pandemic.

From 11.59pm on Sunday night, masks will be mandatory for all Victorians to wear when leaving home.

Victorians will be hit with a $200 fine if they don't abide by the new coronavirus restrictions.

The Australian Defence Force will be knocking on the doors of people who have tested positive to coronavirus in the south-west in an effort to reduce community transmission and ensure restrictions are being followed.

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