Victoria has reported 35 coronavirus cases and seven deaths as the state continues to move down the roadmap out of lockdown.

Today's new case numbers are the lowest in Victoria in almost 12 weeks.

Victoria's seven new COVID-19 deaths include one man in his 70s, a woman and one man in their 80s and three men and one woman in their 90s.

LIVE UPDATES: VICTORIAN RESTRICTIONS BEGIN TO EASE

The state's death toll is now 729 after one previous death was removed due to duplication.

All of the state's new fatalities were linked to aged care outbreaks.

There are 122 Victorians in hospital, including 12 patients receiving intensive care and seven people on ventilators.

"Our thoughts go out to all those affected," Department of Health and Human Services said in a statement.

Australia's death toll now sits at 817.

Premier Daniel Andrews has urged all Victorians to come forward for COVID-19 testing so the state can safely begin to open up as planned.

"We don't want a situation where test numbers are not an accurate measure of not enough tests being done for us to have confidence that we have a clear picture of how much virus is out there," Mr Andrews said.

"We don't want any steps in this safe and steady road map to be deferred or to be compromised. It is important that each and every Victorian comes forward and gets tested."

The state has 4291 virus cases with an unknown source and a total of 1075 active cases. There are 176 active cases among healthcare workers.

Victoria's Chief Health Officer Professor Brett Sutton said nine of today's cases came from the Casey local government area in Melbourne's outer south-east, in particular the suburbs of Hallam and Narre Warren.

He was confident Melbourne's 14-day rolling average, which currently sits at 54.4, would drop below 50 by the end of the week. The city was averaging four or five mystery cases per day.

No new cases in regional Victoria

There were no new cases recorded in regional Victoria today.

Mr Andrews said there was an opportunity for regional Victoria to take another step in its roadmap out of lockdown in a few days "if these trends continue".

Colac has 23 active virus cases, Greater Geelong has six active infections, Greater Bendigo has just one active case and Ballarat has no active cases.

"That is proof that this is not a theoretical exercise, it is a strategy that is working and to see regional Victoria down to 3.9 cases (average), it means they are on the cusp of taking the next step," he said.

"We're pleased to think we will be able to take those big steps, but safe steps towards opening regional Victoria up."

Outdoor dining boost for Victoria announced to 'transform' summer

A mega $290 million funding package has been announced to support sole traders and businesses impacted by the coronavirus pandemic in Melbourne's CBD.

The package includes a $100 million Melbourne city recovery fund that will provide grants to hospitality businesses to move their activities outdoors, to fund COVIDSafe events and new infrastructure through a partnership with the City of Melbourne.

The outdoor dining boost is based on major changes made to the restaurant industry in New York City and London, where traders have moved outside onto roads and footpaths with adjustments made to planning and licensing rules.

Uncertainty over Boxing Day Test, Australian Open crowds

The premier said it was "too early" to determine whether there will be crowds at the Boxing Day test or the Australian Open.

"We are having detailed discussions with, whether it is cricket authorities, the MCC, the whole AO team, talking to them about what their event looks like and there are other events that aren't as famous as that - but there is lots of other events that would normally occur over summer and we have to work through each of those event by event and venue by venue," Mr Andrews said.

"It is hard for us to predict where virus numbers will be."

However, Mr Andrews said it would not be a normal Boxing Day test or Australian Open, as teams and players coming from overseas would need to quarantine.

"It won't be an ordinary summer from that point of view. We will get as many people we can get there, provided it is safe," he said.

Infections lowest since June 25

Today's 35 infections are the lowest since June 25, when Victoria recorded 28 near the start of the second wave.

After six weeks of tough stage four coronavirus lockdowns, Melburnians are waking up this morning to some small freedoms.

Children can now go back to playgrounds and people are allowed out of their homes for an extra hour each day.

READ MORE: 99 mystery cases in Victoria greatest threat to easing restrictions

From today people living alone can welcome a visitor and visit other households as part of a social bubble.

Two people can also meet outdoors for recreation.

Speaking on Today, Deputy Chief Health Officer Dr Nick Coatsworth said "it won't be long now" for restrictions to ease in Victoria.

"The light at the end of the tunnel is getting bigger every day," he said.

"It is a conservative roadmap but it shows a way out."

You can get up-to-date information from the Federal Government's Coronavirus Australia app, available on the App Store, Google Play and the Government's WhatsApp channel.

Beyond Blue's Coronavirus Mental Wellbeing Support Service is a 24/7 service free of charge to all Australians.

Visit the site here or call 1800512348.For coronavirus breaking news alerts and livestreams straight to your smartphone sign up to the 9News app and set notifications to on at the App Store or Google Play.

Source: 9News https://www.9news.com.au/national/coronavirus-victoria-update-35-new-cases-covid19-7-deaths-latest-numbers-dhhs/a85e7394-fe2e-4763-a7b7-6e955020d9ac