Victoria is hit with just 37 new coronavirus cases and six deaths overnight - as Daniel Andrews' top advisor tells the premier his restrictions are too harsh and must be relaxed NOW
- Victoria recorded 37 new coronavirus infections and six deaths on Saturday
- The new cases are the state's lowest daily increase since June 26
- New fatalities take the state death toll to 716 and the national figure to 803
Victoria has recorded just 37 new coronavirus cases and six deaths on Saturday as the premier's top advisor called for the state's strict lockdown to be eased.
The infection number was the lowest daily increase since June 26 and mark the ninth day in a row of double digit figures.
The promising decline in cases comes after Victoria saw 43 new cases on Friday, 51 on Thursday and 76 on Wednesday.
The additional fatalities take the state death toll to 716 and the national figure to 803.
Victoria has recorded 37 new coronavirus cases and six deaths. Pictured: Melburnians exercise on Friday
It comes as Paul Little, the chairman of the state government's own COVID-19 Advisory Group, said the state's coronavirus restrictions created 'unintended consequences'.
'Most of the industry and community contacts I have spoken to recently agree that using a 'blunt tool' of minimising social interaction throughout Victoria has created many unintended consequences,' he told AFR Weekend.
Mr Little's role involves supplying 'real time intelligence from key community and business sectors' to the government's strategic decision makers.
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He warned small businesses are likely to bear the brunt of the COVID-19 lockdown.
'Currently within Victoria, the small to medium enterprises (SME) sector is under severe pressure and many of these businesses will not resume operations when lifting of restrictions occurs as per the road map,' he said.
Mr Little said the announcement of Victoria's roadmap last Sunday meant the government needed to urgently address high risk COVID-19 transmission areas, while identifying and relaxing rules in lower risk locations.
Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews (pictured) delivers his state's daily coronavirus update
Top QC Michael Wyles has also questioned the validity of the coronavirus curfew imposed on Melbourne by Premier Daniel Andrews.
Mr Wyles said the 8pm to 5am curfew, brought in as part of the city's Stage Four restrictions, had not been authorised under state law.
'There is no legal basis for the curfew,' he told The Australian.
Legislation allows health officials to make emergency orders to protect the public but Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton has revealed he did not seek the curfew.
Premier Andrews instead said the restriction had been 'about enforcement'.
Mr Wyles' pointed out the potential flaw in the curfew as assisting law enforcement was not a valid reason to enact emergency health orders.
'It is invalid and everyone can ignore it because the direction is not, according to what Sutton said yesterday, for the purpose of eliminating or reducing the risk of COVID,' Mr Wyles said.
Pictured: People in face masks are seen walking through Melbourne's CBD on Wednesday
The number of fresh diagnoses on Saturday continued good news as the state moves closer to easing restrictions on travel and lifestyle, but Melbourne expects to see more anti-lockdown protest action on Saturday.
Regional Victoria could move out of restrictions as early as next week, Premier Daniel Andrews indicated.
Michael Wyles said the 8pm to 5am curfew, brought in as part of Melbourne's Stage Four restrictions, had not been authorised under state law
'We are poised to be able to take not just one but potentially two steps as early as next week,' he said.
To progress to the third step of its recovery plan, regional Victoria must have a daily case average of five or less across 14 days and record no cases with an unknown source.
Melburnians remain subject to a lockdown curfew between 8pm and 5am, with Mr Andrews standing strong in the face of federal government criticism.
The Melbourne Freedom Walk is scheduled for Saturday on the edge of Melbourne's Botanical Gardens, according to social media. There may also be protests in other locations.
It is unknown how many people are expected to participate, given the original event was taken down earlier in the week by Facebook.
An anti-lockdown rally was held at the Shrine of Remembrance last weekend resulting in 17 arrests and more than 160 fines being issued for breaching health directions.
The city's fortnightly average for daily infections must fall to 50 or lower before some workplaces and schools can reopen from September 28.
A man and a woman go for a walk during lockdown in Williamstown in Melbourne on Friday
