Victoria Police have handed out around a quarter of a million dollars in coronavirus pandemic-related fines in just 24 hours.
Parts of the state have been in Stage 3 lockdown for weeks, with hundreds of new coronavirus infections being recorded every day, but it seems not everyone takes official guidance seriously.
In the 24 hours following 10am on Saturday 1 August, 170 fines were dished out to people for a variety of reasons.
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At vehicle checkpoints, there were 26 fines handed out to people breaching the Chief Health Officer's directions, while 18 were given to people not wearing a face mask, even after officers offered them one.
Other reasons for fines included people gathering at a licensed premises, a party with 10 guests, a religious gathering and a person caught drink driving.
Police Minister Lisa Neville described such behaviour as 'appalling', as the state pushed past 6,000 cases.
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"Many of these fines were issued to people who had no reason to not be wearing a mask, and refused to accept a mask offered by police or PSOs," she said at a press conference.
Melbourne has gone into Stage 4 lockdown, meaning people aren't allowed to go more than 5kms from their home. Ms Neville warned police will have new powers to crack down on unlawful behaviour.
"This really puts beyond doubt their powers. It ensures they have the right tools they need to enforce all the directives and ensure compliance with those directives," she said.
"We've all got to take this seriously, and most people are, but as I said yesterday some people are showing appalling behaviour. In order to get on top of the spread ... we need all Victorians to do the right thing."
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There will be a curfew for people in Stage 4, meaning they won't be allowed out of their homes from 8pm until 5am. Residents are only allowed out of their homes for exercise once a day and it can only be for an hour.
There are a few exceptions to the rules, including being allowed to see your partner and visit a supermarket, even if they're outside the 5km radius.
Premier Daniel Andrews said the restrictions were necessary to prevent more people being infected.
"We can no longer have people simply out and about for no good reason whatsoever," he said yesterday.
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"It is not an easy decision to make but it is necessary and that's why I've made it and that's why police will be out in force and you will be stopped and you will be asked and need to demonstrate that you are lawfully out and you are not breaching that curfew."
More than 11,500 people have tested positive for the virus since the pandemic began, with 4,915 people recovering.
Featured Image Credit: Victoria Police