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Victoria has recorded 6280 new COVID-19 cases and 20 deaths, after restrictions eased on Friday evening, freeing up pubs, clubs and entertainment venues to reopen indoor dance floors and scrap density limits.

The requirement to use a QR code to check in at shops, schools and workplaces was also scrapped.

Chris Cavill performs at the Wesley Anne in Northcote on Friday evening as density limits were scrapped at hospitality and entertainment venues and indoor dance floors were allowed to reopen. Credit:Wayne Taylor

Saturday’s coronavirus figures bring the total number of active cases in the state to 48,420. Of the new cases, 4214 were self-reported from positive rapid antigen tests, while 2066 were from PCR tests.

Victoria’s COVID-19 hospitalisation numbers continue to fall, with 365 people in care as of Saturday, down from 379 on Friday.

There are 55 virus cases in intensive care in the state, and 13 on a ventilator.

Another 18,347 PCR tests were processed from state-run testing hubs on Friday, while 9371 people rolled up their sleeves to receive a COVID-19 jab at a state-run vaccine hub.

The proportion of Victoria’s population that has received three doses of a COVID-19 vaccine stands at 54 per cent.

Restrictions eased at 6pm on Friday, allowing hospitality and entertainment venues to reopen their indoor dance floors and do away with density quotients.

Visitors to shops, schools, and workplaces no longer have to scan a QR code to check in under the new rules, although they have to keep doing so to prove their vaccination status at restaurants, pubs, clubs, bars and entertainment venues.

The indoor mask mandate remains in place, with the Andrews government flagging it is likely to drop off as soon as next week. Health Minister Martin Foley said there would be some exceptions to the rule lifting.

“We’ll continue to consult, as I have been, with our public health officials, with our hospital sectors, public and private, with businesses, and a range of other stakeholders,” he said on Thursday. “I am confident that you will see us here again next [Friday], confirming the arrangements around masks.”

Businesses say scrapping the mask mandate would be a great relief, giving their workers more comfort, and encouraging office staff to get back to the CBD once the recommendation to work from home is lifted.

The requirement for hospital worker “bubbles” was also scrapped at 6pm on Friday, and the 14-day hotel quarantine period for international visitors and aircrew who are not fully vaccinated was reduced to seven days.

Meanwhile, West Australian Premier Mark McGowan announced on Friday the state’s hard border with the rest of Australia would lift on March 3, allowing triple-vaccinated domestic travellers to enter the state without quarantining.

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