Victorians have been partly released from their homes this week but new rules mean a gathering of six people in the park could cost almost $30,000 — almost $5000 for each person.
From yesterday, changes to Victoria’s COVID-19 restrictions mean that five people from two households are able to legally gather outside together.
“From 11.59pm tonight, groups of up to five from across a maximum of two households can meet outdoors,” Premier Daniel Andrews said while announcing steps towards reopening on Sunday.
“With all these changes, though, comes increased responsibility to keep each other safe.
“It means continuing to wear a face covering. And with more people moving across our city, our public health team have advised the rules around wearing a mask need to be strengthened.”
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But masks and social distancing are not the only tools the Premier will rely on to keep Victorians safe as the threat of lingering coronavirus infection remains.
He hopes increasing fines for people who try to push things too far will make a difference, too.
Victoria’s Chief Commissioner Shane Patton spoke to reporters on Monday about the new $4957 fine for illegal gatherings.
Officers will prioritise patrols of populous locals, such as parks, and check the addresses of anyone gathered to ensure they’re not more than 5km from home.
He said police would aim to exercise discretion where it was reasonable to do so — in “extreme circumstances”.
“The use of discretion will be used only in most extreme circumstances and very rarely applied,” he said.
“This is a significant penalty, that is clearly obvious. We will be issuing fines to anyone who breaches those public or private gatherings, it is as simple as that.”
Mr Patton said police were already dealing with way too many rule-breakers, including 40 people who gathered for a party at Hoppers Crossing on the weekend while the city remained under curfew.
“This weekend for some reason … maybe the fatigue is starting to get to people … this weekend was an especially bad one where we’ve seen a whole host of different parties pop up,” he said.
“The ignorance and selfishness of placing others at risk. It’s unfathomable. It defies logic and common sense. It’s incredibly frustrating.”
He said police will be closely monitoring people gathered outdoors during warmer weather this weekend.
“We will be asking people — if we think there is a potential breach — in a polite and dignified and decent manner, asking people where they are from and validating their addresses if need be.
“It requires a commonsense approach from us, that’s the approach we will take.”
It comes as the Premier admits to a “bizarre situation” surrounding fines in Victoria whereby a person who gathers illegally, becomes infected with COVID-19 and tells police about it will escape a penalty.
“Their positive diagnosis and their story is worth infinitely more than $5000,” Mr Andrews said on Monday.
“I know that seems counterintuitive to people. Ultimately there can be no other way.
“The most valuable commodity at the moment is anyone with any symptoms coming forward, getting tested.”
https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMiowFodHRwczovL3d3dy5uZXdzLmNvbS5hdS9saWZlc3R5bGUvaGVhbHRoL2hlYWx0aC1wcm9ibGVtcy9jb3JvbmF2aXJ1cy11bmxhd2Z1bC1waWNuaWNzLXBhcnQtb2YtbmV3LTQ5NTctZmluZS1pbi12aWN0b3JpYS9uZXdzLXN0b3J5LzAxZTY4OTAyNjgyMjU2NTVkZTRkN2Q2NzBiMzRkYmNk0gGjAWh0dHBzOi8vYW1wLm5ld3MuY29tLmF1L2xpZmVzdHlsZS9oZWFsdGgvaGVhbHRoLXByb2JsZW1zL2Nvcm9uYXZpcnVzLXVubGF3ZnVsLXBpY25pY3MtcGFydC1vZi1uZXctNDk1Ny1maW5lLWluLXZpY3RvcmlhL25ld3Mtc3RvcnkvMDFlNjg5MDI2ODIyNTY1NWRlNGQ3ZDY3MGIzNGRiY2Q?oc=5
2020-09-28 22:37:30Z
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