Melbourne’s early release from world’s longest lockdown is on the line after the Australian state cracked the 2000 mark for daily Covid cases for the first time

Melbourne and the state of Victoria has recorded 2,297 new covid cases, marking a record daily increase for Australia

This follows authorities believing that daily case numbers were beginning to plateau.

The state is nearing its double dose vaccination target of 70 per cent with the city predicted to reopen once it reaches this milestone around October 22.

Will Melbourne open early despite case number surge?

It’s unclear whether or not this latest spike will delay the government’s planned reopening.

This all follows a recent surge in vaccination rates and the state’s deadliest day of its current Delta outbreak, with 13 people dying from the virus on Wednesday.

Victoria is on track to reach its 70 percent double-vaccination target on October 22 – which is four days ahead of the government’s road map date of October 26.

Premier Daniel Andrews has assured residents that restrictions will be eased on the day Victoria reaches this vaccination milestone.

Andrews says “I look forward to being able to give people absolute clarity about what next week looks like, and the week after, and as far out as he can”.