No fines issued over illegal Latrobe Valley gathering

Police have not received details from the government about the illegal gathering responsible for Latrobe Valley’s outbreak.

No fines have been issued over the illegal gathering that forced Latrobe Valley into a seven-day lockdown due to a spike in Covid cases.

A Victoria Police spokesperson said on Thursday that police didn’t attend the incident on September 25 and had not received a referral from the Department of Health in regards to it.

“Should the matter be referred to Victoria Police, we will investigate in due course,” they said.

Health Minister Martin Foley said on Wednesday, 19 households were directly and indirectly linked to the house party.

Mr Foley said he didn’t know what the event was, but speculated the timing indicated it was related to the AFL grand final.

On Tuesday night, the City of Latrobe was plunged into a snap lockdown after a spike in Covid cases.

Residents can only leave their home for essential goods and services, caregiving or compassionate reasons, authorised work or permitted education, exercise or outdoor interaction and getting vaccinated.

Locals are not permitted to travel to other parts of regional Victoria unless it is for those reasons.

Shopping, exercise and outdoor social interaction will be limited to 15km from the home for four hours each day.

Residents can meet with one other person, or up to four others from two households if all present are fully vaccinated.

Masks will also be mandatory for both indoors and outdoors settings.

While people can visit their intimate partner or single social bubble buddy, no other visitors will be allowed in the home.

“If you’re in the City of Latrobe, please follow the lockdown restrictions, get tested if you have symptoms, and get vaccinated if you haven’t already,” Acting Chief Health Officer Professor Ben Cowie said.

“We’ve just seen the Ballarat and Geelong communities get through an outbreak so we know it can be done – it’s vital we protect the local community and the rest of regional Victoria from significant outbreaks.”

Mr Foley apologised for the short notice of lockdown and announced vaccination efforts were being ramped up in response to the rapidly deteriorating situation.

He said 5000 doses of Moderna will be directed to Latrobe Valley.

BASS COAST CASES

There are currently five active Covid cases in the Bass Coast.

Three existing cases were cleared on Thursday but three new cases were identified on Friday.

Department of Health Deputy Secretary Kate Matson said the initial case from September 17 acquired the virus through a construction site in Cannie near Swan Hill.

The area last recorded a Covid case on July 29.

It comes after positive Covid viral fragments were detected in wastewater in areas around Phillip Island, San Remo, Moe and Traralgon.

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