Coronavirus: Daniel Andrews slams ‘appalling’ behaviour by virus denier

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews has blasted coronavirus deniers after a woman filmed herself ­refusing to wear a mask while shopping.

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews in Melbourne on Thursday. Picture: Sarah Matray

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews has blasted the “appalling” behaviour of coronavirus deniers after a woman filmed herself ­refusing to wear a mask while shopping.

Inessa Zorkina posted several videos on a Facebook page belonging to coronavirus denier group 99% Unite of herself being fined by Victoria Police after she refused to cover her face when ­visiting a Woolworths store.

In one of the videos, a Victoria Police officer tells Ms Zorkina they have been called because staff members observed her without a mask.

Ms Zorkina replied: “I have rights, I have freedom.”

When she was asked why she refused to wear a mask, she replied: “Because I am a free person and because I can do it and law doesn’t say I must wear a mask … I have freedom.”

Mr Andrews on Thursday said rules around mandatory mask wearing were in place to protect human life and everyone should follow the public health directive.

“This not about human rights, this is about human life,” he said.

“This is not about some obscure nonsense you’ve read on a website. There are rules. There are laws in place and everyone should follow them.”

He described the recent spate of incidents as appalling and corona­virus sceptics could expect to be fined.

Failing to wear a mask while outside carries a $200 fine.

Ms Zorkina, who in the video says she is a single mother, said the police officer jumped on her “like an animal”, hurting her hand.

Victoria Police Deputy Commissioner Rick Nugent said there had been an “alarming” number of incidents at the weekend where people deliberately breached the Chief Health Officer’s direction.