For the sixth day in a row there have been no new locally acquired cases of COVID-19 recorded in Victoria, and there have no new cases recorded in hotel quarantine. The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) reported 38 active cases in the state which two cases fewer than on the day before.

The department said 18, 139 test results had been received.

Victoria activated its “traffic light” Victorian Travel Permit System at 5.59pm on Monday – there was two-and-a-half hour delay in bringing the system online.

This system will apply to travellers from anywhere across Australia. Applications for the permit to enter Victoria can be made through the Service Victoria portal.

The DHSS said on its website: “Areas across Australia are to be designated as green, orange or red, according to their risk, and will be updated based on the latest health advice. To help stop the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19), all residents and travellers wishing to enter Victoria must now apply for a permit.”

READ MORE: Victoria records no new local COVID cases while Brisbane to lift lockdown tonight

The DHHS said Victoria’s border remained closed to anyone who had been in Greater Brisbane – a red-zone area- on or after Saturday, 2 January. Under the new permit system, Regional New South Wales was classified orange which would allow for Victorians in regional NSW to return to their home state. Sydney is considered a red-zone area.

Travellers from regional NSW who were in hotel quarantine would be permitted to leave should they test negative for COVID-19.

The ABC quoting Victoria Health Minister Martin Foley reported that 31,060 permits to enter the state had been processed by 7am this morning (Tuesday).

The department advised that the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) and shops in the Chadstone shopping centre had been listed as potential as potential acquisition sites for the mystery case on Tuesday, 5 January.

“Anyone who attended the MCG on Sunday 27 December and was seated in The Great Southern Stand, Zone 5, between 12.30pm – 3.30pm, must get tested and self-quarantine until you receive a negative result,” said the DHHS on its website. It advised anyone who was at the MCG and the Chadstone shopping centre to get tested.

For more information visit the Victorian Travel Permit system website.