Australia has recorded zero new coronavirus deaths for the first time in two months, as a slowdown in new cases allowed a crippling lockdown in its second-biggest city to be eased.
Just 50 new virus cases were reported nationwide - down from peaks above 700 in late July and early August - while no fatalities were registered for the first time since 13 July, according to an AFP tally.
The news came a day after a strict lockdown of Melbourne was loosened, allowing residents to spend an extra hour a day exercising outside and visiting friends living alone.
In the surrounding Victoria state, locals will be able to leave their homes and businesses can reopen from midnight Wednesday after rural case numbers dipped. "It is a massive thing, it is a