Extra troops called to enforce lockdown

MELBOURNE: More troops are on their way to Victoria to help enforce stayathome orders as Melbourne braces for crushing business restrictions.

Victoria recorded 439 new coronavirus cases yesterday and another 11 deaths, bringing the national toll to 232.

Premier Daniel Andrews is introducing harsher penalties to stop people spreading the disease by moving across the state.

More than 500 Australian Defence Force troops are being deployed to Victoria to enforce stayathome orders, joined by hundreds more health officials.

People caught breaching isolation orders while infected will get $5000 onthespot fines. Repeat offenders could be fined up to $20,000.

‘‘We will do everything we possibly can to support people but you have got to be isolating when you are directed to do so,’’ Andrews told reporters in Melbourne yesterday.

‘‘There is literally no reason for you to leave your home and if you were to leave your home and not be found there, you will have a very difficult time convincing Victoria police that you have a lawful reason,’’ Andrews said.

The only exemption will be for urgent medical care and anyone under a selfisolation order will not be allowed to leave their home for outdoor exercise.

‘‘Fresh air at the front door. Fresh air in your front yard or backyard or opening a window,’’ he said.

At least 250,000 Victorians will be affected by shutdowns across the retail, manufacturing and construction sectors. They will join 250,000 stood down since the pandemic began and another 500,000 working from home.

All nonessential businesses and services in Melbourne will be forced to close or dramatically alter their operations.

The Prime Minister has announced $1500 disaster payments for Victorians who need to selfisolate for two weeks and have exhausted their sick leave.

But the Australian Council of Trade Unions says the payments are less than the average wage and therefore constitute a financial penalty for staying home. It also wants the payment extended across the country.

NSW had 12 new cases of the virus yesterday, with a high school and primary school in southwest Sydney closed after three students were diagnosed.

South Australia has reported two new coronavirus cases as officials moved to reimpose restrictions on family gatherings and restaurants.

Queensland had no new cases overnight, but three people were caught trying to dodge quarantine. — AAP

PHOTO: GETTY IMAGES. Newlyweds . . . Rob and Reno (no surname given) pose for a photograph outside the Victorian Marriage Registry after their wedding yesterday in Melbourne. Retail stores across the city will close to customers today as further stage 4 lockdown restrictions are implemented in response to Victoria’s ongoing Covid19 outbreak. The new rules come into effect at 11.59pm today (local time). Businesses will be able to operate click and collect services with social distancing and contactless payments. Supermarkets, grocery stores, bottle shops, pharmacies, petrol stations, banks, news agencies and post offices will remain open during the lockdown. Melbourne residents are subject to a curfew from 8pm to 5am and must stay within a 5km radius of their homes and have limits on hours of exercise. All pupils will return to home learning and childcare centres will close.