Police hand out multiple fines in Gisborne for stay-at-home order breaches
Police have issued more than $6000 in fines in the Macedon Ranges as part of a “harder stance” to make sure people are following the directive to stay at home without a valid reason to be out.
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Police have issued more than $6000 in fines in the Macedon Ranges to people breaching the directive to stay at home without a valid reason.
Four people were caught as part of an increased police presence in Gisborne on Thursday as part of measures to try and contain the spread of COVID-19.
Police said the officers were actively conducting spot checks on people outside their homes and the quartet were each found in breach of the chief health officer’s conditions and fined $1652.
“Macedon Ranges police are working hard to ensure that our community is safe in these difficult and trying times,” police said.
Two people in Melton and one in Footscray have also been fined $1652 since Tuesday for breaching the directive to stay at home without a valid reason.
As of 8am on Friday, Victoria Police had conducted 11,834 spot checks at homes, businesses and non-essential services across Victoria since March 21 as part of their coronavirus response Operation Sentinel.
The Macedon Ranges fines bring the state total to 39 infringements.
Businesses can be fined almost $10,000 for breaching restrictions.
Deputy Commissioner Shane Patton said police were now taking a “harder stance”.
“Ignorance is not an excuse, because that’s just not going to cut it anymore,” he said.
“People must know they cannot have this contact, they must know that the intent is for them to be at home bunkering down and not potentially spreading this virus.
“We’ve also got a big stick and that big stick is in those infringement notices and we’ll use that and we’ll continue to do so.
“We continue to do this because it’s so important that people understand there is a consequence if they breach these restrictions that have been imposed by the chief health officer.”
Premier Daniel Andrews has praised Victoria Police for being out in the community in very challenging circumstances to make sure the rules were being followed.
“The fines are steep, they are a very significant cost if you get caught and you will get caught if you’re doing the wrong thing,” he told reporters on Wednesday.
“Ultimately, no gathering, no party, no choice that you make is worth someone else’s life.
“They had issued a number of warnings but now we’ve moved to another phase, people have had fair warning about the new rules, they need to comply with them, if there’s any doubt just simply ask yourself the question do I need to do what I’m planning to do.”
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