Tate Papworth
Victoria Police and Australian Defence Force personnel have flooded the streets in a show of force, ensuring Victorians are abiding by stage four COVID-19 restrictions.
As of last week, a fine of $4,957 can be issued to a person who is found to breach the requirement to be self-isolating for a second or subsequent time – the highest on the spot infringement Victoria Police can issue to a person.
To ensure all Victorians are following directions, there will be an additional 250 officers joining Operation Sentinel – bringing it to a team of 750 Victoria Police officers.
They will be assisted by ADF personnel and Department of Health and Human Services authorised officers making in-person visits to the homes of people who have tested positive or are close contacts to ensure they are self-isolating.
Premier Daniel Andrews said there would be no exceptions.
“If we all do the right thing, we will get through this. Those doing the wrong thing will cop a fine from Victoria Police because the only way to beat this deadly virus is if we all follow the rules,” Mr Andrews said.
“We have a massive team going door-to-door to support all Victorians – including more powers and resources to Victoria Police to catch anyone who thinks they can get away with doing the wrong thing.”
Last week more than 500 ADF personnel and 300 officers joined the teams already on the ground, boosting the operation scale up to 4,000 household visits every day.
With new restrictions on business and industry coming into force from Wednesday night, employees working in permitted industries who cannot work from home will be required to carry a new ‘Worker Permit’ when travelling to and from work.
Booze buses have been deployed to road stops and checkpoints to monitor traffic flow, and police will continue to use Automatic Number Plate Recognition to scan registration details and identify the residential addresses of licence holders.
