A leading epidemiologist has praised Victoria's roadmap out of lockdown, despite the exit plan facing heated criticism from business leaders and members of the public.
On Sunday, Premier Daniel Andrews announced Stage 4 restrictions would be extended by at least two weeks, with the curfew to last until at least 26 October.
Victoria announced nine more deaths from coronavirus on Monday, with 41 new cases in the last 24 hours.
Professor Mary-Louise McLaws, a UNSW professor and advisor to the World Health Organisation, described the state's lockdown exit plan as a "combination of conservative approach and compassion".
"The conservative part is pleasing because they are looking towards getting to less than five cases a day, and that is what I would call a safe place," Professor McLaws told SBS News.
She explained that this number is appropriate because it allows contact tracing to be conducted rapidly and for all contacts to be traced within 72 hours.
In other words, it's a small enough number that Victoria can stay on top of the virus.
Under the roadmap, metropolitan Melbourne will only move to "COVID normal" when there have been no new cases for 28 days, no active cases state-wide and no outbreaks of concern in other states and territories.
Although Professor McLaws was broadly supportive of the roadmap, she said the 28-day period was too harsh.
"I think that's too stringent. I think Victoria will be in a safe place with less than five cases per day - they'll be able to squash clusters every day."
A growing number of Victorians have hit out at the plan, saying it's too harsh and the state needs to open up sooner.
"Victorians have been living with such high numbers that they're forgetting that 1200 cases over the last 14 days is still volcanically high," Professor McLaws said.
"They're doing brilliantly. But if the restrictions are lifted when they're in that amber phase, it's too soon.
"The amber phase is where you should be putting in preemptive restrictions to stop you from getting into the red.
"That's the problem - they've been living with this red phase and forgotten they're still in a situation where it can turn."
Professor McLaws acknowledged the extended lockdown was a "shocking financial burden" for Victorians, but noted it was a better outcome than a potential third wave.
"This second wave has accounted for the majority of cases across the entire nation, for the entire pandemic," she said.
"You don't want a third wave."
She also said the criticism of Victorian contact tracers was unfair, including the unfavourable comparisons to NSW.
"NSW has been able to contact trace well because the numbers per day have been handfuls, and although we had over 100 cases over the past 14 days, contact tracers have been able to keep on top of that.
"Most people, when they're not in lockdown, have about 10 contacts per day. I think any criticism of that ability and comparisons to NSW are unfair."
Premier defends Victoria's exit strategy
Mr Andrews has defended Victoria's roadmap out of coronavirus restrictions in the face of fierce criticism, saying the state government's measures are having "considerable success".
On Sunday he announced Stage 4 restrictions in Melbourne would be extended by at least two weeks as he delivered a roadmap out of coronavirus restrictions.
The day after announcing the roadmap details, Premier Daniel Andrews noted the new cases number on 5 August was 725, the peak for the state's second wave.
"We have having considerable success ... we are bringing a sense of control to this," he said.
"A steady, safe opening is what we will do and it will be lasting."
Monday's figures came as Victorian small business railed against the government's roadmap, with Melbourne under stage four measures for another fortnight.
Premier Daniel Andrews has defended Victoria's exit strategy. Source: AAP
A broader statewide reopening is still months away.
Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Kate Carnell said owners are struggling under the weight of costs, including rent, equipment leases, loans and an accumulation of worker entitlements.
"What small businesses are telling us is that they are giving up," she told Nine's Today program on Monday.
"For many of them, they are not going to be open until the end of November."
Victorian deputy premier James Merlino said the worst thing the government could do for business was open up and then a few weeks later reimpose restrictions because of a third wave.
"You've got to get the (infection) numbers down ... and once we do that then we can have a much broader reopening of our economy," he told the ABC.
Mr Merlino believes the state's voters are behind the government's suppression strategy.
"People are with us and they don't want to be put at risk," he said.
"People understand that we need to ease restrictions safely and steadily."
Melbourne's stage four restrictions will remain for another fortnight, although from September 14 the nightly curfew will start an hour later at 9pm and run until 5am.
People living alone will also be able to nominate a friend or family member who can visit, while two hours of daily exercise will be allowed, including social interactions such as picnics in parks or reading books at the beach.
The curfew won't be lifted until 26 October, with people able to leave home for non-essential reasons.
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 .
