Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews has declared Victoria a disaster area with daily COVID-19 infection rates staying in the hundreds.

The new level of restrictions will place many businesses under further pressure for the next six weeks.

Included in the new restrictions is the compulsory wearing of masks or face coverings for all Victorians.

Farmers are among the few who will be exempt from wearing masks but only under certain circumstances. In Victoria, farmers do not need to wear a face covering if working on their own in their own premises.

However if a farmer works on a farm that is not their own, they must wear a mask unless a lawful exception applies (for a health reason, for example).

And from 11:59PM on Thursday 30 July, restrictions are changing for people who live in the Colac Otway Shire, Golden Plains, Greater Geelong, Moorabool, Queenscliffe, and Surf Coast areas.

Residents in those regions will no longer be allowed to have visitors to their home, except for necessary goods or services, care or other compassionate reasons, work or education.