Australia records zero coronavirus deaths for first time in 2 months

For the first time since July 13, Australia on Tuesday reported no deaths due to coronavirus. Only 50 new virus cases were recorded across the country, according to an AFP tally.

As the country is seeing a slowdown in COVID-19 cases, a strict lockdown in Melbourne has been relaxed, allowing citizens to spend an extra hour outside to exercise and visit friends.

People living in Victoria will be able to leave their homes and reopen businesses from Wednesday midnight as coronavirus cases have decreased in the rural areas.

“It is a massive thing, it is a very positive thing,” Victoria Premier Daniel Andrews said.

Almost three-quarters of Australia’s coronavirus cases and 90% of the country’s coronavirus deaths have been registered in Victoria state.

However, Melbourne residents are still under restrictions with an overnight curfew and non-essential businesses remaining closed.

With infections getting under control, pressure on the government is mounting to allow thousands of Australians, stranded overseas by border closures, to travel home.

Opposition leader Anthony Albanese has asked the Prime Minister to use his Royal Australian Air Force jet to bring back Australian citizens.

Australia has so far reported 27,000 coronavirus cases and nearly 816 deaths.