Coronavirus Australia: Man faces $1600 fine for working out at outdoor gym

Despite strict rules in place to combat the spread of coronavirus, one man in Melbourne didn't let the new measures get in the way of his workout.

While there are now strict social distancing rules in place to combat the spread of coronavirus, one man hasn't let the measures stop him from working out.

The man was photographed yesterday working out at an outdoor gym at Melbourne’s Point Ormond Foreshore despite the area being taped off.

Using one of the gym's benches to do a series of sit-ups, the man risked an on-the-spot fine of more than $1600 from Victorian Police after fines were introduced last week.

The fines were introduced in response to Prime Minister Scott Morrison announcing a raft of measures that restricted public gatherings and outdoor exercise.

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The man risked a fine by using the outdoor gym equipment. Picture: AAP Image/Michael Dodge

Outdoor gyms have been taped off across the country. Picture: AAP Image/Michael Dodge

A man trains on gym apparatus at Ormond Foreshore in Melbourne, despite the ban. Picture: AAP Image/Michael Dodge

Outdoor gyms, playgrounds and skateparks can no longer be used, and people are not allowed to workout in groups of more than two, meaning outdoor bootcamps can no longer operate.

The Victoria Government doubled down on this measure, limiting outdoor physical activities to just “basic exercise”.

“Unfortunately, this means no fishing, no hunting, no boating, no camping, and no golf,” Victoria's chief health officer Professor Brett Sutton said on Friday.

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Outdoor gym equipment such as this one in North Sydney are now closed. Picture: Brendon Thorne/Getty Images.

“Hang up your rods, leave the tinnie in the driveway, and clean your clubs at home.”

Australians can exercise with members of their household, as the two-person gathering limit does not apply for people you live with or family members.

Otherwise you are limited to gathering with just one person at a time and keeping a 1.5m distance from each other.

Mr Morrison said last month the rule meant people would still be able to exercise safely outside.

“That provides, importantly, for those who may be getting daily exercise, particularly for women, that they wouldn't be required to walk on their own, and they'd be able to walk with another person,” he said.

People can still exercise outdoors in groups of no more than two. Picture: Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images

The strict new decree comes as 99 of 391 returned travellers in Victoria were found not to be self-isolating at home during a spot check by police on Saturday.

While Australians returning from overseas must now be quarantined in hotel rooms for 14 days, prior to that they were told to self-isolate at their home.

Victorian Health Minister Jenny Mikakos said the breaches were “incredibly disappointing” and there were “no exceptions” to the two-week rule.

“Those individuals are putting their fellow Victorians at risk," she said.

“It’s really important that they understand that, since last Sunday, we have now been quarantining return travellers in hotels, but for those who returned prior to the start of those changes, they are still required to self-quarantine for the full 14 days.”