Coronavirus Victoria: Daniel Andrews announces permit system for Melbourne

People out and about for legitimate reasons in Greater Melbourne during stage four lockdown will need to show a permit if stopped by authorities.

Daniel Andrews has announced a permit system for Greater Melbourne, requiring people to show papers to authorities when they’re out and about for legitimate work reasons.

The move comes as the capital enters a strict stage four lockdown in a bid to slow the rapid spread of coronavirus, with 439 new cases recorded today.

Melbourne is the subject of a nightly curfew between 8pm and 5am, with only essential workers and those seeking or providing care able to leave their homes.

From midnight on Wednesday, a range of non-essential businesses will cease operating.

During the day, people can only go out if it’s absolutely necessary, such as buying groceries, and cannot travel more than 5km from their home.

Mr Andrews today detailed the permit system covering Melbourne, with a particular focus on workers whose industries are still operating, such as supermarkets.

RELATED: Follow our latest coronavirus updates

Daniel Andrews has announced a permit system for Melbourne today, requiring people to show papers when out and about. Picture: Ian Currie/NCA NewsWire

Melbourne is subject to a nightly curfew between 8pm and 5am. Picture: Jason Edwards

“People will have a piece of paper that says, ‘This is where I work, this is what I do’,” he said.

“This is old-fashioned common sense. It’s a piece of paper. Your employer fills it out. They sign it. You sign it.

“You carry it with you and then you’re able to demonstrate so there’s not a sense of anxiety or a sense of having to tell your story 17 times. If you’re pulled up by police, you can simply provide that piece of paper and then you would be waved on to go about your business.”

Mr Andrews promised the process won’t be “too onerous”, with the paperwork to be made available on the Victorian Government website later today.

From midnight on Wednesday, the majority of businesses in the capital will be impacted by drastic changes to how they operate.

Most retail will shut down, with the exception of supermarkets, chemists, newsagents and banks, meaning major department stores will shutter for six weeks.

Large offices will have to cut their occupancy while non-essential industries will have to either scale down or cease operation.

Strict restrictions on the movement of people have been introduced in Melbourne. Picture: AFP

Mr Andrews also today announced increased penalties for people breaching stage four restrictions, after police yesterday issued a staggering 172 infringements.

Among the breaches was a man from Sunshine who allegedly drove 14km from his home to the Melbourne CBD so he could play the game Pokemon Go.

In addition, he revealed that of 3000 people who have been doorknocked to check compliance with quarantine directives, 800 weren’t home.

“I can announce today a new on the spot fine, in fact the largest on the-spot fine on the statute books in Victoria, of $4,659,” Mr Andrews said.

“Ultimately, a $5,000 on the-spot spine and that will be particularly for those who breach their isolation orders.

If you are supposed to be at home and you are not, then you face the prospect of a fine of up to $5,000.

“If there were repeat breaches, if there were particularly selfish behaviour like, for instance, going to work when you had 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.”

RELATED: Best reusable face masks to buy

The idea is to have as few people as possible outside, potentially spreading COVID-19 to close contacts.

Doorknocking efforts will increase to ensure people are where they’re supposed to be, with more Australian Defence Force personnel assisting in compliance tracking.

Authorities have found in recent weeks that hundreds of people who were meant to be in isolation after testing positive for COVID-19 weren’t home when health workers visited.