Victoria has recorded 37 new cases of coronavirus in the past 24 hours, along with six deaths, the state's health department said on Saturday.
It's Victoria's lowest daily total of new infections since 25 June.
The new deaths reported on Saturday means the national death toll stands at 803, with 716 of those in Victoria.
The number of fresh diagnoses is continued good news as the state moves closer to easing restrictions on travel and lifestyle.
“It is challenging out there and I know it is difficult, but the strategy is working,” Premier Daniel Andrews said.
“I am absolutely grateful to everything Victorian who is doing that important work and staying the course so that we can properly defeat this second wave, can open up and stay open.”
The Premier announced beauty and personal services will be allowed to re-open at the third step of the roadmap, earlier than expected.
Masks will be required to be worn throughout the appointment, with facials, face piercings and facial tattoo services barred.
The clarification means beauty services will re-open at the same as hairdressers.
Pet Grooming services will also be allowed to re-open from September 20, when Melbourne is on track to enter step two.
“[It is] an issue that might seem trivial to some, but it is very important from an animal welfare point of view that we can have pet grooming where it can be contactless and safe,” he said.
Regional Victoria could move out of restrictions as early as next week, with the state recording no new infections Saturday.
“Just a few days and they will potentially be able to take not just a single step but two of those steps and be essentially open,” Mr Andrews said.
“I hope every single person in metro Melbourne is looking to the numbers in regional Victoria and seeing what can be delivered.”
A so-called "mystery" case at the Victorian-NSW border town of Echuca reported on Friday, was confirmed to have been a ‘false positive’ result.
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.
“It was never an academic exercise and it is not a matter of public health advice, It is a law enforcement issue,” he said.
“I'm not going to ask police to spend hundreds and hundreds of hours clearing out McDonald's car parks in the suburbs with pop-up gatherings, illegal house parties, the list goes on and on.”
“All of that is a waste of police time and it is doing nothing but spreading the virus.”
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.
Saturday was Victoria's ninth consecutive day of fewer than triple-digit cases.
The city's fortnightly average for daily infections must fall to 50 or lower before some workplaces and schools can reopen from September 28.
Metropolitan Melbourne residents are subject to Stage 4 restrictions and must comply with a curfew between the hours of 8pm and 5am. During the curfew, people in Melbourne can only leave their house for work, and essential health, care or safety reasons.
Between 5am and 8pm, people in Melbourne can leave the home for exercise, to shop for necessary goods and services, for work, for health care, or to care for a sick or elderly relative. The full list of restrictions can be found here.
All Victorians must wear a face covering when they leave home, no matter where they live.
People in Australia must stay at least 1.5 metres away from others. Check your state’s restrictions on gathering limits.
If you are experiencing cold or flu symptoms, stay home and arrange a test by calling your doctor or contact the Coronavirus Health Information Hotline on 1800 020 080. News and information is available in 63 languages at
