The dramatic reduction in daily cases from 725 in early August to zero on Monday and Tuesday was the result of a heroic effort by millions of people.

Victorians, especially the 5 million directly affected by the 111 day long lockdown in Melbourne, deserve full credit for an achievement as yet unequalled anywhere else in the world.

While life in Melbourne today is still far from normal, with mandatory mask wearing, restrictions on visiting regional Victoria, the 25-kilometre travel limit still in place, and people still being urged to work from home, it is much improved. All retail can now reopen. Restaurants, pubs and clubs can have up to 20 people indoors and 50 people outdoors so long as the two square metre rule is observed. Beauticians, tattooists, and other personal service providers can resume operations, outdoor sports are permitted, and people don't need a reason to leave home.

It must seem like a brave new world for the hundreds of thousands gearing up to venture outside for an extended period for the first time in over a 100 days. And, as of November 8 - barring any further serious outbreaks - hospitality venues will be able to host up to 110 people, 70 outdoors and 40 indoors, and up to 20 people will be able to attend a funeral indoors or 50 outdoors. The latter is particularly poignant given 798 Victorians died from the second wave, most cut off from their loved ones at the time of their deaths.

While it is only fair to give the Victorian government full credit for its disciplined approach it would be remiss not to acknowledge this crisis was the result of a government bungle in the first place. Daniel Andrews has done a good job of cleaning up a mess he and his ministers were instrumental in creating. They made their own weather.

Important questions still need to be answered about who knew what, and when, about the decision to use private security in the quarantine hotels. It now seems probable the inquiry chair, Jennifer Coate, will request an extension to her November 6 reporting deadline given fresh statements are now expected from Mr Andrews and other key figures, and that she has just been given access to important phone records including those of staff in the Premier's private office.

While Mr Andrews and others have every reason to be apprehensive about what the final report will say, they can't afford to let this distract them from the next big challenge. That is to undo the massive damage 111 days of lockdown have done to Australia's second largest economy. Victoria's effective unemployment rate is 14 per cent, about six percentage points above the national average.

Mr Andrews will likely pay a heavy political price if the economic response is not managed well. With this in mind it would make sense for him to pressure Gladys Berejiklian to open the NSW/Victorian border as soon as possible.

The NSW Premier, who has been highly critical of Queensland's extended border closure, can't have it both ways.

Victoria's achievement, as former Queensland Labor premier Peter Beattie pointed out on Tuesday, has cleared the way for the opening up of state borders across the nation.

Mr Beattie is right when he says that NSW has demonstrated that outbreaks can be managed and contained so long as a strong contact tracing regime is in place.

He is also right when he says that unless the borders are reopened soon then, despite what has been achieved, the whole country risks going broke.