Acting Premier James Merlino confirmed the lockdown will ease as planned at 11.59pm on Thursday,  saying high testing rates and exceptional contact tracing efforts means the government can announce “significant steps” to easing restrictions.

This means Melbourne will be able to move to “most of the same settings” currently in place across the rest of the state, with regional Victoria also moving to further ease restrictions.

Victoria's Acting Premier James Merlino has confirmed Melbourne's lockdown will ease from 11.59pm on Thursday.

From 11.59pm local time tomorrow the following changes will apply to Melbourne:

– The five reasons to leave home will no longer apply and the 10km travel limit will increase to 25km.

– The only reasons to travel outside the 25km travel limit will be for work, education, caregiving or getting the vaccination.

– Travel to regional Victoria is still banned.

– The ban on visitors to households remains in place but outdoor gatherings will be increased to a limit of 10 people.

– Schools will resume face-to-face learning from Friday.

– Masks will no longer be required outdoors unless you can't maintain a 1.5 metre distance. They remain a requirement in indoor settings.

– Funerals will be capped at 50 people and weddings will be limited to 10.

– Religious ceremonies will be capped at 50 people inside.

– Offices will be able to return to 25 per cent capacity, or a limit of 10 people, whichever is greater. People are still being asked to work from home where possible.

– Restaurants and cafes can reopen for seated service with up to 100 people per venue and a maximum of 50 inside.

– Retail can reopen subject to the one person per four square metre rule.

– Beauty services can resume for services where a mask can be worn.

– Community sport can resume training.

– Auctions can happen outdoors with max 50 people.