MELBOURNE: Australia's Victoria state has reported a second consecutive daily fall in new Covid-19 cases as its first-dose vaccination rate nears the 70 per cent level, where some curbs imposed to contain an outbreak of the Delta variant will be eased, reports Reuters.

Authorities have promised to double the travel limit for five million residents in locked-down Melbourne, the state capital, to 10 kilometres and allow an extra hour of outdoor exercise when the state hits that inoculation target.

With around 68pc of the state's adults having received a first vaccine dose, it is likely to reach 70pc this week as new supplies are rolled out, about a week ahead of schedule. Victoria reported 423 new locally acquired Covid-19 cases, down from 445 a day earlier, and two new deaths.