800 Victorians who should have been self-isolating not at home, Premier Daniel Andrews reveals

A shockingly high number of Victorians who were supposed to be self-isolating were not at home when authorities came knocking, it has been revealed.

Premier Daniel Andrews has blasted 800 Victorians who were supposed to be self-isolating, but were not found inside their homes during sweeping residential checks.

Mr Andrews told reporters Australian Defence Force personnel and health officials conducted 3000 doorknocks of people who were supposed to be self-isolating, with 800 people not at home.

The reckless behaviour forced the Government to issue fines of up to $5000 to anyone not at home when they should be.

“This is an unacceptable number,” Mr Andrews said.

“If you are supposed to be at home and you are not then you face the prospect of a fine of up to $5000.

“If there were particularly selfish behaviour, like for instance going to work when you have the virus, then there is the alternative pathway and that is of course taking you to the Magistrates’ Court where the maximum penalty that can be applied to you is $20,000.”

Melburnians are not allowed to exercise 5km from their homes. Picture: David Crosling/NCA NewsWire

Meanwhile, the State Government has backflipped on its advice to Victorians on exercise.

Those self-isolating at home were previously allowed out for exercise as it was “their right” and to be denied that would be “like detention”.

But from today exercise will be banned for those self-isolating at home, with a window, door or yard their only option for fresh air.

One week ago, the advice was different, with Victoria’s chief health officer, Professor Brett Sutton, saying COVID-19 cases stuck in quarantine could still go outside of their home for exercise, and restricting that would be “detention”.

Prof Sutton said individuals in quarantine and with a garden should be using the yard for exercise, but if they did not have a yard, it was “their right” to go out into the community.

“They should stay 1.5 metres apart from all individuals at all times, and now masks are mandatory, so they should be wearing masks.”

From today people self-isolating can only get fresh air at their window, front door, front yard or backyard.

Victoria recorded 439 new infections overnight, but tragically 11 more deaths.

All of the fatalities were connected to the state’s plagued aged-care facilities where a man in his 70s, another man and three women in their 80s, two men and three women in their 90s and a woman in her 100s all died.

There are 1186 active cases in nursing homes. There are also 456 Victorians in hospital and 38 in intensive care.