Victoria's Premier Daniel Andrews is vying to extend the State of Emergency until December 15, with a bill to be introduced into Parliament today.
The state's coronavirus restrictions, including hotel quarantine, border controls, mandatory face masks and gathering limits are only enforceable when a State of Emergency has been declared under the Public Health and Wellbeing Act 2008.
The current State of Emergency is due to expire at 11.59pm on March 15, but if passed - the bill would extend it for an additional nine months in four-week increments – bringing its expiration to 11.59pm on December 15.
LIVE UPDATES: More Melbourne workers to return to office
Mr Andrews today said the extension was necessary in order to enforce COVID-19 restrictions and protect the state.
"We can't go to a situation with no rules," he said.
"This is not about new rules, but keeping current rules in place."
A State of Emergency is only ever declared or extended on the advice of the Chief Health Officer and the Emergency Management Commissioner.
Mr Andrews said the emergency provisions needed to be in place until the state was able to reap the full benefits of the COVID-19 vaccine.
"We have to extend the State of Emergency until this is over," he said.
"Victorians have worked so hard to fight this virus. We've built something precious, and we need to protect it."
Return to work limits expanded
Victoria's return to work office limits will be further expanded to 75 per cent capacity on Monday in a bid to boost foot traffic in Melbourne's CBD.
Mr Andrews said the new limit will apply to both public and private sector businesses.
The expansion is set revive Melbourne CBD businesses hard-hit by the ramifications of the coronavirus pandemic.
"That surely will be good news and welcomed by bars, restaurants and that sector," he said.
https://twitter.com/VicGovDH/status/1356358488314679297Record keeping requirements for workplaces will remain unchanged and businesses must have a COVIDSafe Plan in place.
The easing of office restrictions comes after 27 days of zero community cases of COVID-19 in the state.
"Victorians have achieved so much in the fight against this virus – and with 27 days free of community transmission, we're delighted to be able see workplaces returning to something closer to normal," Health Minister Martin Foley said.
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