Vic records six new Omicron COVID-19 cases

The new cases brings the total number of confirmed Omicron infections in the state to 19, the health department confirmed on Friday afternoon.

Five of the new cases were detected in arrivals from NSW and one was a recent international arrival.

One Omicron case has been found out of 28 positive cases linked to two Melbourne nightclubs.

Health authorities are determining if any of the other cases, which include 16 who visited the Peel Hotel and 12 who visited Sircuit Bar, have the new variant.

Victoria recorded 1510 new infections and another seven deaths on Friday, with health authorities managing 12,578 active infections.

The state government on Friday announced that international travellers would no longer have to isolate for 72 hours after they arrive.

Instead, travellers who are fully vaccinated will have to take a test within 24 hours of arrival and isolate until they receive a negative result.

The changes come into effect from Tuesday next week and will also apply in NSW.

The state government also announced it is ramping up capacity at state-run clinics and will keep major vaccine hubs open to "help turbo-charge" the booster rollout.

Almost 500,000 Victorians are overdue for a vaccine booster, out of more than 750,000 who are currently eligible five months after their second dose.

The government previously flagged it would close eight state-run vaccination clinics by mid-December.

However, on Friday it announced The Royal Exhibition Building clinic will remain open for walk-up appointments from 8.30am to 3.30pm this weekend, and from 8am to 8pm Monday to Thursday.

The Wyndham drive-through clinic will also stay open from 8:30am to 4:30pm each day with no bookings required.

All 58 state-run vaccination clinics are offering walk-up Pfizer booster appointments in the lead up to Christmas, as well as bookings.

From Monday all sites will also offer walk-up Moderna booster appointments.

State-run clinics will close from Christmas Day, reopening on January 4, with people wanting a jab over that period urged to visit their local pharmacy.

Smaller pop-up clinics will continue throughout December in some areas, including at train stations, shopping centres and community support services.

An in-home vaccination service will offer appointments for people with mobility issues wanting their first or second vaccine dose.

It comes as testers are unable to keep up with demand, with at least 11 Melbourne test sites closed due to being over capacity.

Testers processed 82,301 results on Thursday, while 11,888 people were vaccinated in state-run hubs.

There are 386 patients in hospital, 82 of whom are in intensive care and 43 on ventilators.

The seven-day hospitalisation average has risen by 10 to 356.

Meanwhile, Premier Daniel Andrews returned a negative test after a COVID-19 scare and is free to leave isolation.

He was at an event on Saturday - the first day of about one month's leave - attended by a person with the virus.

Australian Associated Press