Victoria began the month with the lowest tally of new COVID-19 cases since July. There were 70 new coronavirus cases overnight and five deaths.

With figures slowly dropping the focus is on exiting the crisis and opening up the state again.

Victoria’s Premier Daniel Andrews said yesterday that the “roadmap” out of COVID-19 restrictions will be presented on Friday.

There has been talk of a “traffic light” system for businesses to open up with a red, orange and green light system. Red goes to businesses which will remain closed, orange will mean a partial lifting of restriction and green businesses and spaces will open up with normal social distancing measures to apply.

READ MORE: JobKeeper access eased with $15.6 billion earmarked for the program

Waiting for takeaway orders: A sole female delivery driver monitors her mobile phone as she waits outside Vanilla restaurant, in Eaton Mall, on Monday 31 August, at 6.20pm. “Neos Kosmos” saw two other delivery men in Oakleigh outside Kalimera Souvlaki Art, in nearby Chester St. Photo: Dora Houpis

Mr Andrews said that details would be given once these were settled, but also warned about opening the state too soon given that COVID-19 infections were now trending down.

On Sunday, Australia’s Treasurer Josh Frydenberg criticised Mr Andrews of not having presented a clear plan for transition out of lockdown which is due to end on 13 September. “We’re only two weeks away from the end of the so-called stage four restrictions, and businesses are in the dark as to how they will get their workers back and their doors open,” Mr Frydenberg told Sky News.

READ MORE: Victoria’s new COVID-19 cases drop to 73, but deaths spike at 41 due to previous unreported fatalities

 

#COVID19VicData for 1 September, 2020:
There were 70 new cases and sadly 5 deaths reported in Victoria yesterday. Our thoughts are with the loved ones of all those affected.
We'll have more information for you later today in our media release. pic.twitter.com/by6mfDDWxx

— Victorian Department of Health (@VicGovDH) August 31, 2020

 

Stage four lockdown measures have left Victorian businesses languishing and unemployment benefits in the state have jumped by 7.2 per cent since the end of June.

The state also noted a slump in household spending.

Federal Parliament resumed on Monday and Jobkeeper and Jobseeker payments are being discussed with plans to extend these but also reduce the amounts.

Jobseekers are expecting a blow to their current welfare payments at around 25 September, just a couple of weeks after stage four restrictions end in Melbourne.

It is expected that 2.3 unemployed people, single parents and students in the nation will be affected by the reductions as the allowances could be cut by $300.

During this recession the Morrison Government has a plan to wind back JobKeeper, cut super and freeze the pension – but no comprehensive plan for jobs. #auspol pic.twitter.com/hFfKL0NwSN

— Jim Chalmers MP (@JEChalmers) August 30, 2020