TRAFFIC CHAOS AS GEELONG BORDER PATROLS BEGIN

FREEWAY checkpoints and ferry terminal and train station patrols will shield Geelong from Melbourne as police attempt to create a “ring of steel” at the border.

As a six-week lockdown of Melbourne began on Thursday, police set up a booze bus on the Princes Freeway at Little River to check drivers’ licences.

The Geelong Advertiser spotted traffic banked back a kilometre from the checkpoint midmorning in the Geelongbound lanes.

Another roadblock was also set up on Bacchus Marsh-Balliang Rd, Bacchus Marsh near the Western Freeway as police attempted to nab those on their way to Geelong.

Senior police were on the front line on Thursday coordinating the region’s response, as more than 30 local government areas in Melbourne were locked down.

A Victoria Police spokeswoman said the force was relying on the community to “do the right thing” to reduce the spread of coronavirus.

“Police will also be proactively patrolling regional transport hubs, including at train stations and ferry terminals, to ensure that people are complying with the Chief Health Officer’s directions,” the spokeswoman said.

“Mobile vehicle patrols will use automatic number plate recognition technology to scan car registration details and identify the residential addresses of those license holders.

“Booze buses and highlyvisible vehicle checkpoints will continue to be used to deter potential breaches.

“The community can be assured that police will be out and about in significant numbers across the state.”

Searoad Ferries chief executive Matt McDonald, who runs the company that operates the Queenscliff to Sorrento ferry, said the company would not impose further restrictions on passengers to prove their travel was essential.

“Passengers must not travel unless they have a valid reason as per the new restrictions,” Mr McDonald said.

He said passengers would be permitted to use the service if they were travelling between regional Victoria such as from Geelong to Gippsland.

“We have invested significantly in training, equipment and sanitation so that we can continue to offer a safe environment for those who need to travel during these restrictions.”

Police warned the public to make COVID-19 related calls to appropriate hotlines not police stations.

Breaches of COVID-19 restrictions can be reported on 13 14 44, advice on COVID-19 restrictions can be received at 1800 675 398.