Coronavirus tally in Victoria hits 229

Coronavirus tally in Victoria hits 229

21st March

Another 51 people in Victoria have tested positive for coronavirus overnight and the state's total number of coronavirus cases is now 229.

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews today urged the public to take social distancing and self-isolation orders seriously to help stop the spread of COVID-19.

"Nobody should underestimate in any way just how serious this crisis is," Mr Andrews said.

All non-essential indoor gatherings of more than 100 people have been banned, and where there are less than 100 people, each individual requires four square meters to themselves, essentially capping venue attendance based on its size.

During today's press conference, Mr Andrews said that Victoria's schools were remaining open.

"It remains the advice of both the chief health officer and every other health officer across the country, and the chief medical officer Brendan Murphy, that schools should remain open," he said.

"That is the health advice."

However, the state's public school students will be asked to stay home for two days to allow teachers to prepare to run classes remotely in the event of schools being asked to shut down at the peak of the pandemic.