Fine with a chance of arrest
HEFTY new fines for Victorians who do not self-isolate when instructed will be used to crack down on the hundreds of people who are still breaching restrictions. Premier Daniel Andrews on Tuesday announced a new $4957 offence targeted at those who test positive to coronavirus but are not home when authorities doorknock their property. The new powers will be boosted by an extra 500 Australian Defence Force personnel and 300 authorised officers to join crews who are already hitting the streets to check on homes. They will allow authorities to run 4000 daily household visits by next week. Out of more than 3000 doorknocks, about 800 Victorians meant to be self-isolating could not be found. Mr Andrews said these figures were “totally unacceptable” and that those asked to self-isolate would no longer be allowed to leave the house for exercise. “You will need to stay in your home or on your property,” he said. “Fresh air at the front door, fresh air in your frontyard or backyard or opening a window. That’s what you’re going to have to
We want people to be where they are supposed to be because that is how we will all get past this.”
On Tuesday morning, Victoria Police had inspected 22,091 vehicles at checkpoints, conducted more than 6000 spot checks and issued 161 fines for breaches of restrictions
Among those fined was a man in Bendigo who refused to cover his face because he was video chatting to a friend and didn’t think they would be able to see him properly.
Another man in Casey was discovered at 3.20am on his way to buy fast food.
Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Shane Patton said police would only show discretion in exceptional circumstances. “The vast majority of people are doing the right thing,” he said.
“But there is still a mindo. ority who aren’t. On at least four occasions in the last week, we’ve had to smash the windows of cars and pull people out to provide details because … they weren’t providing their name and address.
“We don’t want to be doing that, but people have to absolutely understand there are consequences for your actions and if you’re not doing the right thing, we will not hesitate to issue infringements, to arrest you (and) to detain you where it’s appropriate.”
With 439 new cases announced on Tuesday, Victorian Deputy Chief Health Officer Allan Cheng said the impact of face masks and other measures were beginning to take effect.
Prof Cheng warned it was too soon to predict how low Victoria could drive its
COVID-19 cases over the next six weeks, but said he expected to lower the effective reproduction ratio over the coming seven days.
An outbreak impacting health workers at Melbourne Health Royal Park Campus has grown to 74 cases, fuelling concerns of transmission from aged care residents transferred from their homes.