Can I drive to exercise within 5km of home? Police clarify what you can and can’t do
The restriction stopping Melburnians from driving to exercise within 5km of their home has been axed after community outcry over the rule. Here’s what to do if you’ve been fined.
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Victorians will be able to drive within 5km of their home to exercise under updated directions to be issued by the state’s Chief Health Officer.
Professor Brett Sutton will alter the public health advice on Wednesday.
It comes after police warned Victorians that they could not drive somewhere to exercise, sparking complaints and warnings about safety.
When asked about the issue on Wednesday, Prof Sutton said he would discuss the rules with Victoria Police.
The Department of Health and Human Services website will now be updated to clarify that driving within 5km of your home is allowed if it is for this purpose.
“We are aware that people have talked about that as an unreasonable constraint,” Prof Sutton said.
“I don’t want anyone to feel unsafe getting to a place of exercise.”
Victorians who have previously been fined for this breach will be able to request a review with Victoria Police and apply for the charge to be waived.
Earlier today police were warning people not to drive somewhere to exercise, even if it is within 5km from home.
Anyone who was caught travelling in a vehicle to exercise would’ve be fined $1652 for breaching the Chief Health Officer directions.
A post on the Port Phillip Police Eyewatch Facebook page explaining the department’s original rule has attracted more than 3900 comments.
Many were incredulous at the restriction and argued it should not make any difference whether a person walked or drove to a park to exercise.
In their post, Port Phillip Police wrote: “We understand that some people are unhappy with this restriction.”
It said there had been some misunderstanding from people that did not know the rule was in place.
“As police officers it is our job to enforce these restrictions in order to keep our communities safe,” the post said.
“We believe it is important to educate our community. Please do the right thing and follow the restrictions.”
Victoria Police said it did not comment publicly on the specifics of individual infringements however confirmed “we know there have been some instances where people have been fined for travelling in a vehicle to exercise within 5km of their home”.
Between Monday night and Tuesday night, another 174 fines were handed out by Victoria Police for breach of stay-at-home orders.
CAN I TRAVEL TO EXERCISE OR DO I HAVE TO STAY INSIDE MY LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA?
Victorians will be able to drive within 5km of their home to exercise under updated directions
CAN I SIT ON A PARK BENCH WHILE I’M OUT FOR EXERCISE?
Yes. The Department of Health and Human Services has advised that sitting in parks is acceptable while out for fresh air and exercise with one other person.
CAN I MEET WITH OTHER PEOPLE?
Melbourne residents can exercise with one other person or household members, but must maintain a distance of 1.5m. Equipment should not be shared.
Please use common sense and limit the number of people you see in person right now.
It is safer to connect with friends and family using phone calls, social media and video calls. If you are exercising with someone else, you should keep 1.5 metres distance between you. Don’t hug, kiss or shake hands.
CAN I LEAVE THE HOUSE TO EXERCISE OUTDOORS?
Yes. In metropolitan Melbourne you can leave your home to exercise outdoors in a public space, either alone, or with one other person.
You must limit your exercise to once a day and for no more than one hour.
You can only travel up to five kilometres from your home while exercising.
If you live in Regional Victoria you cannot enter metropolitan Melbourne for the purpose of exercise or recreation.
If exercising with a person outside your household, you should keep at least 1.5 metres between yourself and them.
CAN I VISIT THE BEACH?
Yes, if there is a beach within 5km from your home. You can go to the beach for exercise only. Exercise is limited to a maximum of one hour per day.
CAN I GO TO THE GYM OR POOL?
No. All indoor sports and recreation centres, including gyms and pools, are now closed.
CAN I PLAY GOLF?
No. Under Stage 4 restrictions, golf is not a permitted reason to leave home.
If you live in metropolitan Melbourne, you cannot travel to play golf outside this area.
IS PERSONAL TRAINING ALLOWED?
No. Personal training is not permitted work.
I WORK AS A PT. CAN I GO TO MY GYM/THEATRE/BUSINESS VENUE TO LIVESTREAM A PERFORMANCE OR RECORD CLASSES/SESSIONS?
No. You cannot attend your workplace for the purpose of a livestream. The only reason you can leave home to conduct a livestream is for a religious ceremony or service.
I HAVE A DOG AND DON’T HAVE A BACKYARD. CAN I TAKE HIM FOR A BATHROOM BREAK?
You may leave your home to take your dog for a bathroom break, but should stay as close to your home as possible and return as soon as your dog has relieved itself.
You should seek to minimise separate trips as much as possible, so consider taking your dog out when you exercise or shop for necessary good and services.
For the purposes of caring for an animal you may leave your home. You must wear a face covering, unless an exemption applies.
IS COMMUNITY SPORT ALLOWED?
No. Community sport is banned in metropolitan Melbourne and Mitchell Shire. People cannot travel to attend or participate in community sport in another area.
CAN I TAKE MY CHILDREN TO A PLAYGROUND FOR EXERCISE?
No. Outdoor playgrounds and skate parks are closed. Playing on outdoor playground equipment in metropolitan Melbourne and Mitchell Shire is prohibited.
IS FISHING ALLOWED?
No. Outdoor recreational activities like fishing are not a permitted reason to leave home.
CAN I GO HORSE-RIDING IF I LIVE IN METROPOLITAN MELBOURNE?
No. Outdoor recreational activities like horse riding are not a permitted reason to leave home. If you are at home, on your property or place of agistment, you can ride your horse.
Where this is not possible, and there are safety or animal welfare concerns, you may exercise the horse outside of your property.
CAN I RIDE A HORSE FOR THE PURPOSE OF EXERCISING THE ANIMAL?
You should exercise the horse on your own property or place of agistment.
Stay as close to home as possible, and where possible, to seek help from other people to exercise a horse if you live more than 5kms away. Where this is not possible due to safety or animal welfare concerns, you may exercise the horse outside of your property or agistment, but you should limit it to once a day.
CAN I PLAY PROFESSIONAL SPORTS?
Yes. Professional sports have access to otherwise restricted facilities for the purpose of training and engaging in professional sporting events.
Facilities must be used for the exclusive use of a single professional sporting team at a time. Guidelines have been developed for professional sports.
The professional nature of these sports means that there are more processes and resources in place to ensure that players and officials conduct activities in a safe way that slows the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19). This is why professional teams are currently allowed to undertake more activities than community sports.
I LIVE IN SPOTSWOOD BUT GO WALKING AROUND THE TAN BECAUSE I FEEL SAFE THERE. CAN I CONTINUE TO DO THIS?
No. You should go walking at your nearest safe place within a 5km radius of your home.
I LIVE IN COBURG BUT I LOVE EXERCISING AROUND THE BOTANICAL GARDENS. IS THIS OK?
No. You should exercise within a 5km radius of your home.
I WANT TO TAKE THE KIDS TO THE NEXT SUBURB FOR A BIKE RIDE. CAN I DRIVE THERE AND THEN GO RIDING?
No. You should bike ride within a 5km radius of your home.
HOW FAR AWAY FROM MY HOUSE CAN I RIDE MY BIKE, POWER WALK, JOG OR RUN?
You should exercise within a 5km radius of your house and for a maximum of one hour a day.
WHAT ARE THE PENALTIES FOR NON-COMPLIANCE?
Victoria Police can issue on the spot fines of up to $1652 for individuals and up to $9913 for businesses for:
— refusing or failing to comply with the emergency directions
— refusing or failing to comply with a public health risk power direction
— refusing or failing to comply with the Public Health Directions to provide information.
— fines of up to $20,000 for individuals and $100,000 for businesses are possible through the court system.
— Individuals who do not wear a face covering and do not have a lawful reason can be fined $200.
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