197 Victorians Fined for Breaching Virus Rules Within 24 Hours

197 Victorians Fined for Breaching Virus Rules Within 24 Hours
Police officers and soldiers patrol Treasury Gardens as they enforced strict lockdown laws in Melbourne, Australia on Aug. 5, 2020. (William West/AFP via Getty Images)
AAP
By AAP
8/7/2020
Updated:
8/7/2020

Almost 200 Victorians have been fined for breaching the state’s COVID-19 restrictions, including a man caught breaking curfew to buy cigarettes and lollies.

Victoria Police did 3554 spot checks on homes, businesses and public places in the 24 hours to Saturday morning, fining 197 people for breaching the chief health officer’s directions.

Sixty-two were fined $1652 for breaching Melbourne’s 8pm-5am curfew, while a further 36 were penalised $200 for failing to wear a face mask.

One man was slapped with both fines after he was caught at a service station just before 1am buying cigarettes and lollies. He wasn’t wearing a mask.

Another was found riding a city-bound train between Lalor and Thomastown, outside the five-kilometre radius from his home.

He told police he was out to “get some fresh air”.

A man was intercepted by officers in Hastings - about 130km from his Bacchus Marsh home - visiting friends.

Melbourne