Coronavirus: Victorians to mask up outside or cop a $200 fine

Victoria Police will enforce mandatory face mask wearing across the state after record high numbers of the coronavirus sparked concerns over transmission.

A resident is evacuated from an Epping aged care home. Picture: Andrew Henshaw

Victoria Police will enforce mandatory face mask wearing across the state after record high numbers of the coronavirus sparked concerns over transmission in the regions.

With the number of new coronavirus cases rising by 723, contact tracers have been unable to link 660 cases to known outbreaks.

The number of deaths rose by 13 on Thursday with ten linked to aged-care outbreaks while the number of coronavirus cases connected to the sector increased by 109.

From Monday, regional Victorians will face $200 fines if they don’t wear a mask when outside their homes.

And starting Friday, the residents of six local government areas near Geelong will be forbidden from visiting the homes of family and friends in an effort to crush community transmission. But Victorians living in the Colac-Otway, Greater Geelong, Surf Coast, Moorabool and Golden Plains regions as well as the Borough of Queenscliffe will be allowed to visit cafes, restaurants and bars.

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews said while it may feel counterintuitive, transmission data indicated people kept their distance less when in their homes compared to a hospitality venue.

“People are not necessarily keeping their distance in their family homes (and) it’s a natural thing, you let your guard down,” he said.

Of the 255 active cases in regional Victoria, 159 had occurred in the area described by Mr Andrews as “Geelong plus”. The number of active cases in the Colac-Otway region has risen from zero on July 16 to 76 on Thursday, representing almost half of the total in “Geelong plus.”

Mr Andrews said the vast majority of those were linked to workplace outbreaks but there was a concerning number of cases linked to homes.

“If this was not in people’s homes and we did not have that source of transmission and those mystery cases as well, then we could be solely focused on large workplaces at high risk,” he said.

An outbreak at the Australian Lamb Company in the town of Colac on July 22 has since soared to 64 cases. The abattoir outbreak prompted Jason Schram, the mayor of the city of 11,000 people, 150km southwest of ­Melbourne, to call for a short lockdown.

On Thursday, Mr Schram welcomed the tightened restrictions but said most residents within the town were already wearing face masks and social distancing.

“It’s good to get that clear direction,” he said.

Scott Morrison was due to speak with Mr Andrews last night to discuss the path ahead for dealing with the crisis.

 

It is understood the Prime Minister will continue his pledge for as many resources as Victoria needs and it is possible to provide.

The federal government is worried that there is a wide, systemic problem in Victoria that has gone undetected.

Despite the angst between the governments, the relationship between Mr Morrison and Mr Andrews has not deteriorated, sources said. There had been regular discussion between the two leaders in the past week.

The Australian also understands that Mr Andrews was blindsided by the sharp increase in the numbers. There had been a genuine belief Victoria was starting to address the issue and the numbers would start to drop off.

Aged care, both governments believe, remains the serious threat with significant further fatalities now expected. There also are growing concerns about the spread into regional areas.