"That can make a big difference in stopping spread of virus and keeping low numbers in regional Victoria, very low so restrictions settings don't change," he said.

"The masks can be homemade, one you bought or it can be simply wearing a scarf."

It comes as the Victorian government has confirmed 428 new cases of coronavirus were detected in the last 24 hours.

Premier Daniel Andrews said on Friday 57 of these new detections were linked to known outbreaks, and one was in quarantine

There have been three further deaths, bringing total number of lives lost to coronavirus in Victoria to 32. They are a man in 80s, man in 70s and woman in her 80s.

The Friday data for the Wimmera is not yet available. On Wednesday and Thursday, a total of four new cases were detected, three in Horsham and one in the Northern Grampians.

"We are going to increase the number of testing sites across regional Victoria," Mr Andrew said. "There are more than 50 already operating. We do continue to see low numbers (in regional Victoria) albeit some additional cases, around five today, further details of which will be forthcoming... but they are relatively low numbers in the scheme of things.

"Things can change rapidly though, and that's why (there will be) more testing sites."

"We are also standing up local squads who can bring intensive intervention to even the smallest number of cases... so we can limit their contact with others. I've very grateful for those in regional Victoria who have stayed home and are not spreading the virus in anything they do."

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"That ring around Melbourne is working in terms of reducing the spread of the virus to regional Victoria, but that can change. It can change if people pretend it's over because they want it to be."

Health Minister Jenny Mikakos elaborated on the premier's comments,

"Whilst the number of regional cases is low, there have been 42 new cases since July 1," she said. "We are keeping a close eye and monitoring the data on daily basis. It is important regional Victorians don't become complacent.

"There are 160 different testing sites across Victoria, including 60 in regional communities. We looking ot establish new sites or expand existing ones."

The new and expanded sites are in Echuca, Wonthaggi, Bendigo, Shepparton, Koo Wee Rup and Mildura, none in the Wimmera.

The government is also establishing five public health teams in Ballarat, Geelong, Bendigo The Latrobe Valley and Shepparton for more effective contact tracing in regional cities.

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