New $4,957 fine announced for Melburnians caught trying to enter regional Victoria
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16.09.2020

New $4,957 fine announced for Melburnians caught trying to enter regional Victoria

Words by Kate Streader

The fine aims to deter those in metropolitan Melbourne from fleeing to regional Victoria as restrictions in those areas ease.

The Victorian government has announced a new fine of $4,957 for anybody caught trying to enter regional Victoria from metropolitan Melbourne. The new offence will be introduced from 11:59pm on Wednesday September 16.

With regional Victoria set to move to step three of the state government’s reopening roadmap from midnight tonight, the fine aims to deter those in Melbourne from fleeing to regional areas to enjoy the easing restrictions.

Police will also ramp up patrols of checkpoints, caravan parks, boat ramps, as well as state and national parks, particularly during the school holidays which commence on Monday September 21, to catch those doing the wrong thing.

“[Victoria Police] will be highly visible and active to prevent people from entering the regional and rural areas, particularly during the school holidays,” said Deputy Commissioner, Regional Operations Rick Nugent in a press conference this afternoon.

“We do not want regional and rural communities to be put at risk by Melbourne metropolitan people. We don’t want the virus to spread again in these rural areas,” he added.

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