Man fined $1652 for ‘going to buy cigarettes’

Police fined 101 people in 24 hours. Photo: Joe Mastroianni 211041_01

Goya Dmytryshchak

A man who claimed he was travelling from Laverton to Mordialloc to buy cigarettes was among 101 people fined for breaching stage 3 stay-at-home restrictions or not wearing a mask yesterday.

What would have been a 100 kilometre round trip cost him $1652.

It comes as Victoria recorded 300 new cases of coronavirus by Friday and seven more deaths.

Maribyrnong had 107 active cases out of a total 195 on Friday, while Hobsons Bay had 64 active cases out of 125.

In the 24 hours to 11pm on Thursday, Victoria Police checked 23,316 vehicles at roadblocks on main arterials where they fined 12 people.

They also conducted 5345 spot checks at homes, businesses and in public places.

A gym owner in Hume was fined $9913 for operating in breach of the chief health officer directions.

A Wyndham man was among 16 people fined $200 for not wearing a mask.

Police said the man refused to put a mask on even when given one by officers.

Other reasons given to police for refusing to wear a mask included a man who said the rules don’t apply to him and a man who believed coronavirus was a conspiracy.

Outbreaks at local meat processors include 74 cases linked to Somerville Retail Services in Tottenham, 62 cases linked to JBS in Brooklyn and three cases linked to Diamond Valley Pork in Laverton North.

Three cases have been linked to Sims Metal Management in Brooklyn.

Cases have been linked to five more aged care facilities including Japara Yarra West in Yarraville.

Sacca’s Fine Foods at Altona Gate shopping centre in Altona North reopened on Friday after confirming no new positive cases from any staff members.

An employee had been diagnosed with COVID-19 after working at the fruit and vegetable market and continental deli from July 8-12.