Drivers turned away on roads into Geelong
MELBOURNE visitors trying to access Geelong have been turned back as police continue to enforce hard checkpoints to curb the spread of coronavirus.
Geelong Highway Patrol members were patrolling routes through Werribee, Little River and Lara to intercept Geelong-bound vehicles.
Officers used automatic number plate recognition to identify the address of the owner before the intercept.
Police said a number of vehicles trying to breach restrictions were sent back.
Surf Coast police forward commander Sergeant Lee Kendrick said police were “locking down highways” to keep the community safe.
“The roadblock is part of an ongoing Surf Coast operation ensuring strict COVID compliance in combination with road safety enforcement,” Sgt Kendrick said.
He said officers issued nine notices for speeding and road safety breaches, and turned back one vehicle in the first two hours of the operation.
“This effort complements our tasking in and around our towns, carparks and accommodation venues,” he said.
“People need to understand that we are deadly serious about community safety.”
Officers were also patrolling at the Queenscliff ferry terminal to check passengers travelling to and from the locked down area of Sorrento.
Victoria Police could not release specific regional data but said 5460 vehicles were checked between 3pm Thursday and 7am Friday.
Twelve fines were issued for breaches of the chief health officer restrictions at vehicle checkpoints across the state.