Victoria records 2189 cases and 16 deaths as residents celebrate the end of lockdown

Victoria has recorded 2189 new COVID-19 cases overnight and further 16 deaths on the state's first day out of lockdown.

The results come from more than 77,00 tests, while some 38,000 people were given a dose of a jab yesterday.

The 16 COVID-19 deaths included a man in his 60s, four women in their 70s, three men and four women in their 80s, and one man and three women in their 90s.

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There are 784 Victorians in hospital, including 145 in intensive care.

Premier Daniel Andrews implored people to continue getting vaccinated to prevent hospitalisations from surging while pledging there would be no more "state-wide lockdowns".

"We are not having state-wide lockdowns, we are not having city-wide lockdowns, because people have gone and done what we asked them to do," he said.

"And now we're delivering what we said we would do.

"There's no greater argument - if you are fully vaccinated, your chances of finishing up critically unwell, really seriously sick with this - are a tiny fraction." 

A total of 71 per cent of eligible Victorians are now fully vaccinated.

Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton said Victoria "absolutely can and should punch through that 90 per cent fully-vaxxed threshold". 

"We've got some terrific signs," he said. 

"The fact that there have been more than 90 per cent now who've got their first dose amongst eligible populations from 12 years and above means that there's every expectation that we'll have more than 90 per cent fully-vaxxed for 12 and above."

More than 23,000 people are currently infected with the virus.

Meanwhile, celebrations erupted across Melbourne overnight as residents celebrated their newly instated freedoms.

After more than 260 nights lost to stay-at-home orders, people were ready to enjoy the lifting of some restrictions from 11.59pm on Thursday.

READ MORE: Victoria scraps quarantine for double-vaccinated overseas travellers

Cheers were heard across the city's CBD, as excited residents clapped, tooted car horns and revelled in their newly instated freedoms.

The state hit 70 per cent double dose vaccination coverage by midmorning yesterday, as well as 90 per cent single doses.

On the morning of Freedom Day, the Department of Health's daily COVID-19 update tweet also appeared different.

The layout of the tweet previously emphasised case numbers, but from today it has altered to focus on vaccinations and hospitalisations - a change which was "appropriate", Professor Sutton said.

"I think it's appropriate we focus on the levels of vaccination we are getting to," he said.

"It's the target we really need to focus on."

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From today, every student can return to class, the curfew is abolished, you can finally get a haircut, and up to 10 people and visit homes each day.

And it's all thanks to Victorians rolling up their sleeves

READ MORE: Melbourne CBD erupts with noise at midnight as lockdown lifts

Mr Andrews thanked residents and said now was the time to get back to "the things we love".

"We've officially hit 70 per cent fully vaccinated," he said on Twitter.

"Because of everything Victorians have done, tomorrow we can start getting back to the things we love."

The vaccine achievements are milestones Acting Chief Health Officer Professor Ben Cowie never believed Victoria would reach in October.

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Lockdown number six was ordered on August 4 — a seven-day circuit-breaker that ended up lasting 77 days.

"I really could not be more pleased to be the one who gets to sign them (the restrictions) away again tonight," he said.