Victoria, Australia’s second most populous state and the epicentre of the country’s Covid-19 outbreak, will accelerate the easing of social distancing restrictions as infections slow to fewer than 20 cases a day, its premier has said.

Victoria, which reported 16 Covid-19 cases in the past 24 hours, has placed nearly five million residents of its capital Melbourne under one of the world’s most stringent lockdowns since early August.

With cases well below the record one-day high of more than 700 cases reported in August, state Premier Daniel Andrews said some curbs, including a night curfew, will be removed almost immediately. The remaining curbs could be relaxed earlier, with restrictions eased when case numbers hit certain triggers.