Chadstone, Northland shoppers told they must wear masks
Masks are now mandatory in public in Melbourne. While police will show some discretion on fines, major shopping centres and key retailers will ask customers without a face mask to leave. Here’s all you need to know.
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Police will initially exercise discretion in handing out $200 fines to people who don’t wear a mask as Melbourne’s big corona cover-up begins.
Major shopping centres including Chadstone and Northland will refuse entry to customers who shun requests to wear a face covering from Thursday, when it becomes compulsory when anyone in strict lockdown areas goes outside.
But the State Government can’t say how or when it will distribute millions of masks to people who can’t afford them.
Victoria Police confirmed it would at first take an educational approach to issuing fines for not wearing a mask, which must be worn outside the house in metropolitan Melbourne and Mitchell Shire.
“Police will exercise discretion over the next seven days, as we understand that for many people this is a significant adjustment,’’ spokeswoman Beck Angel said.
“We understand that the vast majority of Victorians are trying to do the right thing and our exercise of discretion will reflect that.
“That said, we do expect people to follow the chief health officer’s directions and will not hesitate to issue fines to people who are obviously and blatantly showing a disregard for community safety by failing to wear a mask.
“This is a critical measure designed to reduce the spread of coronavirus.”
Melbourne’s major shopping centres have joined big retailers including Myer, Bunnings, and Kmart in cracking down on customers who don’t cover up.
Vicinity Centres — which operates major centres including Chadstone, Emporium Northland, The Glen and DFO outlets — will enforce a “no mask, no shop” rule.
Customers not wearing a mask will be asked to buy and wear one as soon as possible.
If they refuse they’ll be asked to leave. Those not wearing a mask because of a medical condition will be asked to show proof from their doctor.
“In line with government direction and to help stop the spread of COVID-19 in our community, people must wear face masks and coverings in our centres in metropolitan Melbourne,’’ Vicinity shopping centres director Justin Blumfield said.
“Our security teams will be monitoring our centre to ensure people are wearing masks and social distancing.”
Scentre Group — which runs Westfield outlets including Southland, Doncaster and Knox — will adopt similar protocols.
Premier Daniel Andrews said on Wednesday he was still not able to release details of a planned rollout of masks to vulnerable Victorians.
The government has about 3 million on order, with the first batch due this week.
Mr Andrews said anyone unable to obtain a mask could comply with the new rules if they used a face covering of some type such as a scarf, bandana or handkerchief.
He supported retailer moves to refuse entry to customers who refused to wear a mask.
“Our nurses and doctors wear coverings from head to toe. It’s not too much to ask people to wear a mask, in order that they don’t find themselves in hospital or contribute to somebody else finishing up in hospital,’’ Mr Andrews said.
Shopping Centre Council of Australia executive director Angus Nardi said 85-90 per cent of people at centres already wore face coverings.
“Generally speaking, if someone enters a centre without a face covering, they may be asked if there is a valid reason for not wearing one and depending on the circumstance directed to where one can be purchased, asked to leave the centre or if Victoria Police are present, there is a risk of them being issued with a fine,’’ Mr Nardi said.
Engineering student Catherine Walton, 20, has been using a mask since the first lockdown.
“I think it’s important we’re all being really careful,’’ she said.
Infants and children under the age of 12 are exempt from wearing a mask.
They can be removed for running, eating and drinking.
There will be routine and proactive police patrols.
Breaches can be reported to the Police Assistance Line on 131 444.
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