Police plan to catch Melburnians fleeing lockdown

Thinking of travelling to regional Victoria during lockdown? These are the rules Melburnians will have to follow.

Police will ramp up patrols and conduct random spot checks at businesses and public spaces in regional Victoria to catch out Melburnians who flee lockdown.

Operation Sentinel – the force’s coronavirus enforcement squad – will be out in force when restrictions are lifted in regional Victoria on Friday.

Unlike the state’s second lockdown, there will be no “ring of steel” around the metropolitan boundary.

Instead police will be conducting highly visible road and foot patrols to prevent a mass exodus from Melbourne, as it endures another week in lockdown.

“Victoria Police will be conducting mobile patrols, both in vehicles and on foot across the state. The mobile vehicle patrols will utilise Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) technology to scan car registration details and identify the residential addresses of those licence holders,” a police spokeswoman said.

Police will be conducting highly visible road and foot patrols to prevent a mass exodus from Melbourne

Officers will also randomly check businesses and public spaces to ensure people are doing the right thing, as well as doorknock homes to investigate reported breaches.

Regional businesses have also been ordered to take on an enforcement role from Friday.

Acting Premier James Merlino said businesses must check customers’ IDs and refuse service to anyone who is not legally allowed to be in regional Victoria.

“We know it is an extra ask of staff and on customers, but ultimately this is about keeping your community safe. We will also expand our service Victoria QR requirements to make it mandatory to check into retail settings, such as supermarkets and shops and that will apply across the whole of our state,” he said.

Those caught breaking the rules will be hit with the full force of law, with individuals and businesses risking $1,652 and $9,913 fines, respectively.

“Anyone who selfishly and deliberately chooses to put their own needs above the health and safety of the entire community, can expect to be held accountable and fined,” the police spokeswoman said.

Those caught breaking the rules will be hit with the full force of law.

Meanwhile Police Association boss Wayne Gatt said he was pleased the controversial “ring of steel” would not be reintroduced.

“We welcome the government’s changed approach to the enforcement of Covid travel restrictions. It is a far more efficient approach that will allow our members to do much more, in more places, and better protect Victorians”.

Chief health officer Brett Sutton said travel restrictions are necessary to stop the highly infectious virus from spreading further in the community.

“We know that people who are highly motivated to break the rules will have a go anyway … They’ll be tracked down through roaming patrols and the work of VicPol,” he said.

“They will also be managed by a highly motivated regional Victoria that does not want people outside of the region, who are not entitled to be there, to be coming and accessing services and events.”

DOS AND DON’TS FOR VISITING REGIONAL VICTORIA

How can I prove I am allowed in regional Victoria?

• Melburnians will need an authorised reason to travel to regional Victoria from Friday.

• Examples of authorised reasons include work and medical appointments.

• Police will check people at random to determine whether they are allowed into regional Victoria.

• To prove this carry your driver’s license or documentation stating your place of employment or medical appointment details.

What if my driver’s license is expired or has a city address when I’m living/staying in the regions?

• People can also prove their right to be in regional Victoria by producing a utility bill from their holiday home or receipt for their accommodation in regional Victoria.

What if I’m travelling from interstate?

• Police will ask for proof such as a driver’s license or receipt for accommodation.

Will I receive a fine if I can’t produce proof?

• Yes. Police will take a no-tolerance approach to rule breakers and will have proactive patrols (on foot and on the road) in the regions for the duration of the lockdown.