Victoria Police are cracking down on deliberate COVID-19 directive breaches, issuing hundreds of fines since Stage Three ‘Stay at Home’ restrictions were reintroduced.
In a joint statement, Premier Daniel Andrews and Minster for Police and Emergency Services, Lisa Neville said police had issued 546 fines and conducted 100,000 checks since the restrictions were reintroduced across metropolitan Melbourne and Mitchell Shire.
Mr Andrews and Ms Neville said police were continuing to make house visits to COVID-19 cases and close contacts who had been directed to self-isolate, as well as patrolling public places all over Victoria.
“We know the vast majority of Victorians are doing the right thing and we thank them for that,” Mr Andrews said.
“Following the rules is what keeps our families safe,” he said.
“For those who want to break the rules – Victoria Police is out there and you will get caught.”
Mr Andrews and Ms Neville said that while most Victorians were doing the right thing and following the directions of the Chief Health Officer, there had been some disappointing examples of people blatantly disregarding the restrictions.
“There are examples of people deliberately flouting the rules and this is incredibly disappointing,” Ms Neville said.
“We all need to work together to slow the spread of coronavirus and if you refuse to do that, you will face the consequences,” she said.
