Victoria, Australia's second most populous state and the epicenter 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 said on Sunday.

Victoria reported 16 COVID-19 cases in the past 24 hours and has placed nearly 5 million residents of its capital Melbourne under one of the world's most stringent lock-downs 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.

Reuters