Covid 19 coronavirus: Victoria records 15 new cases, five more deaths

The population of Melbourne have been urged to stay at home if not working. Photo / AP

In Australia, the state of Victoria recorded 15 new virus cases and five more deaths on Wednesday, the Department of Health has confirmed.

The low figure means Melbourne's crucial 14-day average has finally dipped below 30, now standing at 29.4.

It also points towards a possible easing of lockdown restrictions before the scheduled date in late October.

Metropolitan Melbourne's 14-day average, now below 30, has exceeded the state's 30 to 50 case range required to move to the second step on the government's Covid-19 road map recovery plan from September 28.

That step will allow childcare to reopen, schools to begin a staged return to classrooms and outdoor gatherings of up to five people from two households.

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews has continued to stress the importance of Melbourne's 14-day rolling case average remaining in the 30-50 band.

"We are in that 30-50 band and it looks like we are going to stay there. That is really very, very important."

The 14-day rolling average for regional Victoria is at 1.1.

There are 41 cases of an unknown source in metropolitan Melbourne and none across regional Victoria.