Bayside coffee lovers flout strict COVID-19 physical rules despite repeated warnings
Melburnians have ditched health warnings in favour of an Easter long weekend coffee and catch-up, with cafes rushed off their feet and customers mingling and lingering outside despite stay-at-home advice.
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Melburnians have continued to ignore health warnings in favour of an Easter weekend long black, with cafes in the east and bayside areas rushed off their feet.
Caffeine-craving Bayside residents have been snapped flouting strict coronavirus rules despite repeated warnings to stay home.
Victorians have been clearly instructed to consume takeaway coffee and drinks at home or as they walk as part of exercise but some people couldn’t resist the urge to sit and chat in the sunshine with their purchase as the mercury climbed to a sunny 20 degrees at lunchtime today.
Hefty on the spot fines of up to $1652 clearly failed to faze thirsty and hungry locals in North Brighton, Hampton, Black Rock and Beaumaris, while others were spotted sitting and grabbing a dose of vitamin D in the City of Kingston’s Mentone hub.
It comes after Department of Health and Human Services data confirmed 36 people were battling the deadly disease in the Bayside region, with 1281 confirmed cases across the state.
A group of four jolly chin-waggers were spotted having a laugh at Seaview shops on Balcombe Rd Beaumaris and were watched on by two apparent walkers who took a break and sat to sip their hot beverages.
In Black Rock village, two lycra-clad cyclists seemed oblivious as they lay on the grass to tuck into their meals while dozens did the right thing and hopped into their car to head home after supporting their local with a takeaway purchase.
And five minutes away at Hampton St, more were seen abiding by the takeaway rules except for two cyclists who parked their bikes and sat on a bench to take their caffeine hit and two young women who ate lunch in the sun.
Brighton’s Church St was something of a ghost town but Bay St in North Brighton was more lively with lots of coffee lovers including two women who sat chatting outside a 7/11 shop.
At Mentone, it was just an ordinary day for some who sat with their drinks on public seating and watched the world go by.
Bayside Mayor Clarke Martin urged residents to follow physical distancing measures as most people in the community continued to follow the rules.
“Bayside is a connected community and collectively, our residents are doing the right thing,” he told the Leader.
“Council is working to mitigate the risk of the spread of coronavirus within our municipality including providing regular updates to the community, increasing visits to food businesses and rolling out signage to remind people to maintain a safe physical distance.
“We are urging residents to continue to abide by the social distancing measures set by the State and Federal governments.”
Meanwhile, a popular Wheelers Hill cafe enjoyed a steady trade over the weekend, selling countless cups of takeaway coffee and bottles of milk to passers-by despite strict lockdown laws.
Jaz Graham, manager of Madeline’s at Jells, said the sunny skies and cafe’s location in Jells Park played a big role in the surge in customers.
On Sunday, the cafe sold more than 200 bottles of milk and countless cups of takeaway coffee by lunchtime.
“(And) we were a little bit busy yesterday,” he said.
“Regardless of what’s happening I think it’s purely because of the weather. And being in the park, people are still out exercising. They come out for a walk or a cycle and they pop by for a coffee.”
Mr Graham said the cafe, restricted to takeaway only, received ongoing support from customers.
“It’s been steady during the pandemic,” he said.
Mr Graham said the cafe had no problems with customers sticking to social-distancing rules while ordering food and drinks
“We’ve got it (the cafe) pretty well-signed,” he said.
He said there was an ongoing police presence in Jells Park and praised officers for their role in enforcing the rules.
“Victoria Police has been fantastic in chaperoning people in keeping their distance. That takes the pressure off us,” he said.
Operation Sentinel reaped a whopping $261,000 in revenue from 158 fines dished out to individuals and businesses not complying with social distancing directives on Easter Sunday, with 20,426 spot checks conducted since March 21.
A state government spokeswoman said she was “really disappointed” to see some people were still not listening to the rules.
“If the rules aren’t followed, the virus will spread and people will die,” she said.
“Our hope is that Victoria Police don’t have to issue any more fines. But those who continue to flout the rules will be dealt with.
“We have one clear message: stay home.”
Individuals risk on the spot fines of up to $1652 and businesses $9913 if they don’t follow directives to stop the spread of coronavirus.
Cafes across Melbourne struggling to stay afloat during the coronavirus crisis risk being fined if customers fail to adhere to the 1.5m distancing rules.
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Earlier this month, Elwood cafe owner Dan Watson was given a stern warning by police for allegedly breaching social distancing rules.
Police warned him they had received complaints from locals that his customers weren’t sticking to the social distancing rules while ordering up food and drinks at his Tennyson St store, Mr Tuppy.
Under the COVID-19 laws there are only four reasons for any resident to go out — food and supplies, medical purposes, exercise and work or education.