Victoria Premier Daniel Andrews has once again urged residents to “stay at home” as he confirmed the state would enter “critically important” stage three restrictions at midnight tonight.
The move follows last night’s announcement by Prime Minister Scott Morrison that gatherings would be limited to no more than two people – except for members of your immediate household and for work or education – under “radical” measures to slow the spread of COVID-19.
Victoria’s virus cases increased by 56 overnight, bringing the state’s total to 821.
“We’re getting close to 1000 cases … so what we have to do is very, very different to other parts of Australia and other parts of the world,” Mr Andrews told media this morning.
As a result, the state will move to stage three restrictions at 11:59pm in a decision that is now about “life and death”.
RELATED: Follow the latest coronavirus updates
“Victoria has moved to stage three and that involves a ban with an on-the-spot fine of more than $1600 if you breach it, on gatherings with more than two people, other than those in your household,” Mr Andrews explained.
“If you are outside, or in your backyard, gathering in more than two people; if you are having friends over for dinner or friends over for drinks that are not members of your household, then you are breaking the law, you face an on-the-spot fine of more than $1600 and Victoria Police will not hesitate to take action against you. That is how serious this is.
“If we all our health system to be overrun, then people will die. That is a price that is just not worth paying. No gathering with friends is worth someone’s one life,” the Premier said.
The new restrictions will be in place for the next four weeks and reviewed as required. Here’s what they actually mean for Victorians.
WHAT ARE STAGE THREE RESTRICTIONS?
Under these measures – and in line with the Prime Minister’s announcement last night – there will only be four reasons to leave your house, Mr Andrews said.
These are for:
• food and supplies
• exercise
• medical care
• work and education (if you cannot do so from home).
“Just so we’re clear: ‘getting some exercise’ means going for a walk round the block or a bike ride to stretch your legs and get some fresh air,” Mr Andrews wrote in a thread on Twitter.
“It means staying local – not driving for miles or being out all day.”
Gatherings of more than two people, except for members of your immediate household and for work and education, are also now off limits.
RELATED: What is social distancing?
AM I ALLOWED TO HAVE MORE THAN TWO PEOPLE OVER TO MY HOUSE?
No. Victorians should be staying in their own homes.
DOES THIS APPLY TO WEDDING AND FUNERALS?
The rules for weddings and funerals remain, according to the Victorian Government.
No more than five people are allowed to attend a wedding – the two people getting married, a celebrant and two witnesses.
For funerals, no more than 10 people can attend, as per the previous direction.
CAN I STILL GO OUTSIDE WITH MY CHILDREN?
While you are allowed to go outside with your children, this should only be for the purposes of exercise and fresh air.
“This does not mean that you should spend the day outside because everyone who can stay home must stay home,” the State Government said.
Playgrounds, public exercise equipment and skateparks are also now closed under Federal Government advice.
RELATED: Aussies ignoring the rules caught out
WHAT HAPPENS IF I BREACH THESE RESTRICTIONS?
If people are caught refusing or failing to comply with these directions, they will be slapped with an on-the-spot fine by Victoria Police.
Individuals will face a fine of $1652, while businesses will pay as much as $9913.
Fines can also be issued to those who refuse or fail to comply with a direction by the chief health officer to provide information.
This means individuals or businesses could be fined on the spot if they fail to self-isolate for 14 days after arriving at an airport in Victoria from a flight originating from overseas; if they organise a mass gathering; or if they organise or attend a wedding that has present more than the two people getting married, the celebrant and two witnesses or a funeral that has more than 10 people.
“If everyone follows these rules, and they are as simple as they can be, then we will slow the spread of the virus. We will save lives, we will protect our health system, we will get through this together and we will get to the other side of it quicker,” Mr Andrews said.
The move comes after a dedicated taskforce of 500 police officers, Operation Sentinel, was established last week to halt the spread of the deadly virus.
The officers have been tasked with ensuring the government’s lockdown laws are enforced and conducting random spot-checks on the homes of residents who have been told to self-isolate.
Bagikan Berita Ini
0 Response to "Coronavirus Victoria: What ‘critically important’ stage 3 restrictions mean - NEWS.com.au"
Post a Comment