Melbourne holiday home owners should not be here says CEO
Bass Coast Health CEO Jan Child said it was disappointing to see people were ignoring the health directives.
Under the current restrictions, Melbourne residents still only have five reasons for leaving the house and cannot travel more than 10kms from their homes.
However people are flouting the rules and travelling to Bass Coast.
Local businesses are already reporting visitors from Melbourne have been turned away under the new ID checking system.
Bass Coast Health CEO Jan Child said it was disappointing to see people were ignoring the health directives and has urged holiday home owners to observe the lockdown restrictions.
If people usually live in Metropolitan Melbourne but have a holiday house in the Bass Coast, the new directives say they should stay in Melbourne unless they are an authorised worker or an intimate partner," Ms Child said.
"This means that people who have recently travelled to their holiday home in the Bass Coast to avoid the Metropolitan lock down, and are not an authorised worker or an intimate partner, should not be at their holiday house.
"The lockdown restrictions have been introduced to reduce the number of people moving around Victoria. If we all do this, we will help to protect the Bass Coast community."
Even those who are allowed to visit regional areas, must adhere to the restrictions in place in Melbourne, including wearing a mask indoors and outside and not visiting restaurants or attending public gatherings.
Police can issue on-the-spot fines of up to $1652 for adults who fail or refuse to comply with the public health directives.
The police said there were always people “who choose to blatantly disregard the Chief Health Officer's directions”.
“Anyone who selfishly and deliberately chooses to put their own needs above the health and safety of the entire community, can expect to be held accountable and fined,” a Victoria Police spokesperson said.
They urged anyone concerned about breaches of the CHO directions, to call the Police Assistance Line on 131 444.
“Police will continue to conduct intelligence led home visits in response to complaints received through the Police Assistance Line,” the spokesperson said.
Full details of the current Covid restrictions are available at www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/coronavirus-covidsafe-settings
