Police to up ante on virus breaches
RETURNED travellers in forced quarantine should expect to be visited by Victoria Police as the force ramps up a coronavirus enforcement squad.
Chief Commissioner Graham Ashton revealed 500 officers would be deployed to ensure containment measures put in place to combat coronavirus are followed.
The officers will be co-ordinated through the Police Operations Centre and be out in the community completing spot checks on returning travellers who are in 14-day isolation, as well as enforcing bans on indoor and outdoor gatherings.
Police minister Lisa Neville said a number of returned travellers had breached quarantine.
“Unfortunately we had hoped more people would comply than what they have been. Over the weekend what we saw was a number of breaches around the rules of gatherings,” she said.
“Police have the powers to fine you, arrest you, detain you.”
The government said a person who unknowingly had COVID-19 when they attended a recent dinner party infected a dozen guests.
“We are upping the ante in terms of (Victoria Police) engagement on this issue, because it is such a substantial issue and it’s about saving lives,” Ms Neville said.
Mr Ashton said general duty patrol officers would also complete spot checks.
“Clearly the messages haven’t been getting through,”
Mr Ashton said.
“We are in a position now to be able to do the enforcement.”
Although Victoria Police are yet to charge anyone for breaching the laws, they can fine individuals up to $20,000 or businesses up to $100,000.
The Police Association told News Corp it understood the need for enforcement of the regulations because of the potentially devastating risks involved.
“Police are part of this response, but like in any major disaster Victorians have faced in recent times, we must rely heavily on each other to form the resistance,” association secretary Wayne Gatt said.
“This is about doing the right thing to protect lives.”
A LOCAL running club has found an innovative solution to stay connected during the coronavirus crisis.
Geelong Running Club founder Tristan Austin said the club had cancelled group runs due to the pandemic.
But now members can register with tracking app Strava to track their runs.
Members are asked to take pictures and tag the club online, and Mr Austin said there was a prize for the “most creative” run.
“If people want to get creative with speed, the route, a costume,” Mr Austin said.
The virtual runs will occur at least once a week, and Mr Austin said it was a great way to keep runners accountable.
“We’ll make it a new thing while we’re all locked up,” he said.
“It’s about maintaining that sense of community. Runners have lost their ways of having community; this is what we’ve come up with. We can still cheer each other on and it’s also a good way to keep healthy.”