Coronavirus: Victoria Police squad to check on isolation violations

A 500-strong Victoria Police coronavirus enforcement squad has been established to conduct spot checks on isolation non-compliance.

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews speaks to the media on Monday. Picture: Getty Images

A 500-strong Victoria Police corona­virus enforcement squad has been established to conduct spot checks on people and businesses not complying with social isolation protocol.

However, NSW police are ­reluctant to go down the same path, with a NSW law enforcement official familiar with the Victorian situation telling The Australian police were concerned about resources being diverted away from day-to-day policing and serious crimes.

The Andrews government ­announced the new taskforce on Monday, as NSW police said they were working on plans to enforce social distancing but were unlikely to establish as large a dedicated taskforce as Victoria.

Victoria’s announcement came as Premier Daniel Andrews ­accused Victorians who had not been limiting their social interaction of “acting selfishly” and risking the lives of vulnerable people.

“They are not taking this seriously” he said.

“They are doing the wrong thing and if that continues then people will die.”

Breaches of protocol are punishable with fines of up to $20,000 for individuals and $100,000 for businesses, but Mr Andrews said on Monday morning that no fines had yet been issued.

The police taskforce will be co-ordinated through Victoria’s Police Operations Centre, with ­officers expected to do spot checks on returning travellers and contacts of COVID-19 cases throughout the state, as well as enforcing bans on gatherings.

Having closed all pubs, clubs, nightclubs, Crown casino, gyms, indoor sporting venues, places of worship, cinemas and entertainment venues from midday on Monday, Mr Andrews warned people not to host gatherings in their homes as an alternative.

“You won't be able to go to the pub because the pub is shut,” he said.

“That doesn't mean you can have all your mates round to home and get on the beers. That’s not ­appropriate.

“All it will do is spread the virus.”

A NSW law enforcement official said police in both NSW and Victoria were concerned that it was unclear which section of legislation could be used by officers to combat non-compliance.

“They have a taskforce, but they don’t know what they’re doing,” the official said. “That’s 500 officers who aren’t doing business as usual.”

Lawyers for the NSW Police Force were on Monday afternoon working to establish which section of the Public Health Act should be applied against potential breaches of self-isolation or social distancing, or whether a different act should be used. A decision on the NSW position was expected late on Monday.

Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Graham Ashton warned of a likely rise in family violence as anxious people spent more time together at home, saying addressing that problem was a key part of day-to-day police work.

“Victoria Police will still be doing our regular work … most of which, I should point out, is responding to family violence events, and in that regard, with more people at home, more people self-isolating, it’s a good reminder just to be looking out for each other, to be doing the right thing by each other, and we could potentially see increases in family violence,” Mr Ashton said.