Goya Dmytryshchak
Two men getting fast food in Hobsons Bay have been fined for breaching stay-at-home orders in the past 24 hours as Victoria was declared a state of disaster.
The pair admitted to police they had come from a friend’s house in Altona where they stayed overnight.
It comes as the state’s surging coronavirus caseload, including 102 active cases in Hobsons Bay, plunged Melbourne into stage 4 restrictions including a curfew between 8pm and 5am.
Premier Daniel Andrews declared Victoria had entered a State of Disaster on Sunday, giving police additional powers to ensure compliance with public health directions.
“That includes a curfew from 8pm-5am,” Mr Andrews said.
“The only reasons to leave home during these hours will be work, medical care and caregiving.
“There’ll be exemptions for partners who live apart and for work, if required.”
Under stage 4 restrictions, exercise and shopping are limited to within five kilometres from home.
Only one person per household can leave for essential goods, and only once per day.
Exercise is limited to one hour and with one other person.
Mr Andrews said there were common sense exemptions.
“If your closest supermarket is further than five kilometres, you can still shop there,” he said.
“If you’re a parent with little ones, you can still take them with you when you go for a walk.
“And these distance, gathering and time limits won’t apply for work, medical care or compassionate reasons.”
Victoria Police issued 172 fines in the past 24 hours, including 27 for failing to wear a mask or face covering and 22 at road vehicle checkpoints.
Statewide, 4366 spot checks were conducted at homes, businesses and public places.
Also fined in the 24 hours to 11pm Sunday were a Keilor man who travelled to his Surf Coast holiday home on Friday, a Sunshine man playing Pokemon Go in Melbourne, a group celebrating a birthday party at a short-term rental in Point Cook and a woman at Southern Cross station attempting to travel to Bendigo.
They were each fined $1652.
Students who had been learning onsite will return to home schooling on Wednesday.
Mr Andrews said onsite supervision would only be available for students who really need it.
“That means children whose parents are permitted workers and vulnerable kids who can’t learn from home,” he said.
“From Thursday, those same rules will apply to Melbourne’s kinder and early childhood education services.”
Changes will be in place for at least the next six weeks, until September 13.
