"There are still plans for not a snapback, but certainly an easing of restrictions for regional Victoria with the likely exception of the Shepparton, Goulburn Valley area," he said.

Mr Foley said the easing would focus around support measures and wellbeing measures.

"It shouldn't be seen as a snapback to where we were, say, in April or May, but certainly a recognition that the chain of transmission in the regions are different and in most of the regions very different to what they are in metropolitan Melbourne," he said.

Mr Foley said just under 30,000 vaccines were administered in state-run clinics on Sunday.

He said that 60.9 per cent of people over 16 have now had at least one dose of vaccine in Victoria.

Related: Victoria records 246 new cases of COVID-19, 121 linked

Of the people in hospital, 67 were not vaccinated but were eligible. Ten people were partially vaccinated.

Mr Foely said this was a "pandemic of the unvaccinated".

"This current outbreak is targeting the unvaccinated because that's where the virus will go," he said.

"Our best way in which to protect ourselves, our family, our community and to get to the other side of this is to get vaccinated and, therefore, protect yourself, perhaps even more importantly do your bit to protect our public health system and make sure that any wave of the unvaccinated protects our public health system."

Bookings for a vaccination blitz of final year school students also opens today.

Mr Foley said all parents and caregivers should have received information about how to enroll in that blitz, and to double-check their emails.

OTHER NEWS:

He says the first vaccinations in that blitz will be administered to school students tomorrow.

"This is (about) making sure that our year 11s and eligible - eligible year 11s and 12s get that certainty about making sure their exams are going to be held, that they get the opportunity to hold the GAT, to participate in exams and whilst we're doing it, keep both the students and the staff safe," he said.

Victoria recorded 246 new coronavirus cases overnight from over 42,000 tests.

Mr Foley said only 121 were linked to current outbreaks.

Of the new cases, 129 were in the northern suburbs, 71 in the west, 21 in the south-east, nine in the inner-city and inner south, eight in the east, two in the Mornington Peninsula, one in greater Geelong, four in Shepparton and one case remains under investigation.

Housing Minister Richard Wynne announced a new program for those who have lost income during recent lockdowns and are in rental distress.

The one-off grant of up to $1,500 will be available to renters paying more than 30 per cent of income in rent.

The grants will be targeted to those who have lost 20 per cent or more of their income in rent, backdated to May 27, 2021.

The grant will be allocated to the landlord. The minister also issued a fresh plea for landlords to be understanding where tenants are struggling because of lost work in recent lockdowns.

"This is an important initiative, a targeted initiative that is actually going to make a significant difference to people's lives," Mr Wynne said.

"We absolutely understand just how critical it is that particularly those who are vulnerable have safe, affordable and secure housing in the private rental market."

Mr Wynne also announced an extension of the current homelessness program out to June 30 next year.

It will be a $45 million investment from the Victorian government.

Meanwhile, NSW recorded 1281 new locally acquired cases of COVID-19 in the 24 hours to 8pm last night.

There have been 29,253 locally acquired cases reported since June 16.

There are currently 1071 COVID-19 cases admitted to hospital, with 177 people in intensive care, 67 of whom require ventilation.

The Stawell Times-News has removed the paywall from our stories relating to health warnings and safety of the community. However, we depend on subscription revenue to support our journalism. If you are able, please subscribe here. If you are already a subscriber, thank you for your support.