"Next week, I'll have more to say about what the rest of May looks like," he said. "And then progressively we'll talk about the second stage and the third stage and getting back to as close to normal as we can.
"Next week will be filled lots of different announcements that are cautious and careful but will, I think, be welcomed by Victorians, because they're based on science, they are based on the biggest testing protocol that our country has seen right throughout this global pandemic."
Victoria’s state of emergency expires on Monday, which is when the state government has said it will review restrictions.
Mr Andrews said he would have "some further things to say about schools next week".
"The nature of that, I can't pre-empt, because there's still further work that has to be done."
He stressed the government had not ruled out allowing students back before the end of term two but parents should plan for remote learning until the mid-year break.
"We've always been keen to give parents as much notice as possible. We did that when we brought the school holidays forward. And, of course, we'll do that if and when those policy settings change."
More than 127,000 people have come forward to be tested for coronavirus during the government's two-week blitz - far exceeding the government's target of 100,000.
The results of these tests will help determine how much community transmission of the virus has occurred and what restrictions can be eased first.
"Nothing changes today, nothing changes tomorrow, nothing changes Sunday. The rules remain in place," he said.
"Let's not give everything back, let's not throw away all the progress we've made by letting our frustration get the better of us ... We just have to be a little patient for a little longer."
There will be no change to social distancing restrictions in Victoria this weekend. Credit:Joe Armao
Mr Andrews said Victoria was not like other states "that have literally had no community transmission".
"We have many more [cases of] community transmission and that's been a feature of Victoria," he said.
About one in 10 coronavirus cases in the state are the result of unknown community transmission.
An additional 13 people tested positive to COVID-19 in Victoria in the 24 hours to Friday morning, including five cases of community transmission.
Of the state's 1467 confirmed cases to date, it is likely 158 were acquired through community transmission.
Mr Andrews said the return of the football season was a matter for the AFL to determine but it was working closely with the Health Department and the Victorian government.
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"We want footy back, but it's gotta be safe. And I'm confident that it can be. But those announcements are not for me to make."
The Premier said he was not fazed by any criticism of his decision to hold firm on Victoria's restrictions.
"Is Victoria cautious, no. We're just guided by the science and we know what is at stake. And if that's popular, fair enough. If it's not, that's not really my concern," he said.
"This is a pandemic, this is not a popularity contest. This is a pandemic and Victorians should be so proud that all the way through they've done what's required."
Benjamin is a state political reporter
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https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMie2h0dHBzOi8vd3d3LnRoZWFnZS5jb20uYXUvbmF0aW9uYWwvdmljdG9yaWEvY2F1dGlvdXMtcHJlbWllci13b24tdC1ydXNoLXRvLWxpZnQtdmljdG9yaWFuLXJlc3RyaWN0aW9ucy0yMDIwMDUwOC1wNTRyNncuaHRtbNIBe2h0dHBzOi8vYW1wLnRoZWFnZS5jb20uYXUvbmF0aW9uYWwvdmljdG9yaWEvY2F1dGlvdXMtcHJlbWllci13b24tdC1ydXNoLXRvLWxpZnQtdmljdG9yaWFuLXJlc3RyaWN0aW9ucy0yMDIwMDUwOC1wNTRyNncuaHRtbA?oc=5
2020-05-08 05:31:54Z
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