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Victoria Police Will Use Drones To Make Sure People Don't Illegally Gather For AFL Grand Final

Victoria Police Will Use Drones To Make Sure People Don't Illegally Gather For AFL Grand Final

Anyone caught doing the wrong thing can expect fines ranging between $1,600 to almost $5,000

Stewart Perrie

Stewart Perrie

Victoria Police have revealed they will be using drones and helicopters over the AFL Grand Final weekend to make sure no one is gathering illegally.

According to Sky News, the air wing and drone unit will be patrolling parks, beaches and other hotspots in Melbourne.

The Grand Final usually sees people packed into bars, clubs, restaurants and homes to see who will take home the The McClelland Trophy. However, due to the city coming out of a deadly second wave of coronavirus infections, restrictions are still tight.

Victoria Police/Facebook

While people will be able to gather outdoors and up to 25kms from their homes, there are still rules that prevent people from having others over to their property.

Premier Daniel Andrews warns that while Victoria has experienced several days of single-digit daily new cases, officials don't want to open the flood gates just because of a sporting match.

"What starts off as perhaps an outside gathering doesn't stay outside for long," Mr Andrews said earlier this week.

"Weather turns, people are using [shared] facilities, all those sorts of things."

Anyone caught doing the wrong thing can expect fines ranging between $1,600 to almost $5,000.

Assistant Commissioner Luke Cornelius said: "We will have a strong, dedicated and highly visible presence right from Geelong to Richmond, as well as other popular public locations including parks and gardens to ensure it is a safe day for everyone.

"Anyone found to be deliberately or blatantly breaching the restrictions can expect to receive a fine."

PA

Melbourne's 'ring of steel' will also bolster efforts to stop anyone from sneaking out to go to other locations where restrictions on gatherings aren't as harsh.

Back roads in and out of Melbourne will have an increased police presence to ensure no one gets through the cracks.

While there will be small gatherings allowed outside, people should be aware that drinking in public is banned in some locations.

Don't even think about cracking a cold one in the City of Yarra, which includes Swan Street, and Punt Bridge roads, or on any nature strips that are council-owned in residential areas.

There is also a drinking ban across the CBD, Kings Domain, Docklands and several parks.

Featured Image Credit: ABC

Topics: News, Australia