Victoria reports 45 new cases, five further deaths

Victoria has reported 45 new cases in the past 24 hours.

Sadly, a further five people have lost their lives to the virus.

More details on today's figures are expected later today.

On Thursday, the state reported just 28 new cases - its lowest daily increases in almost three months.

It followed daily increases of 42 on Wednesday, 42 on Tuesday and 35 on Monday.

On Thursday, Premier Daniel Andrews pleaded for regional Victorians to remain vigilant under the third steop.

"I'll just just say this to regional Victorians: the rules have changed, but there are still rules. It's really important that regional Victorians remain vigilant," he said.

"Every regional Victorian is obligated, having given so much and having done so much to create this sense of absolute optimism, to make sure that they remain vigilant following different rules, but rules nonetheless."

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The Premier's comments come as Wimmera businesses and residents embrace more social lives under the eased restrictions.

The Royal Hotel opened at midnight on Wednesday, and just minutes after the new rules came into effect publican Grant Fiedler was pouring a pint for a parched patron.

"The idea was just to celebrate being able to reopen," Mr Fiedler said.

"People haven't been able to go to the bar for a long time, and they have been missing it."

You can read more about that here.