The Victorian government has revised certain limitations of Melbourne’s exercise rule
Subscribe
X

Get the latest from Beat

19.08.2020

The Victorian government has revised certain limitations of Melbourne’s exercise rule

Words by Kate Streader

The Chief Health Officer has revoked the rule against allowing Melburnians to drive to their exercise spot following complaints.

On Wednesday August 19, Victoria Police reiterated a widely misunderstood rule under Melbourne’s stage four restrictions, clarifying that people are not permitted to drive to their exercise spot – even if it is within five kilometres of their home.

“This restriction has been highlighted and shared with you due to the fact that some people did not know it was in place,” wrote the Eyewatch Port Phillip Police on Facebook. “This restriction has come from the Department of Health and Human Services on behalf of the chief health officer.”

However, following complains that the rule was an “unreasonable constraint”, Victoria’s Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton said he would reconsider the rule to allow people to drive to their exercise spot, as long as it is within a five kilometre radius of their home.

“We are aware that people have talked about that as an unreasonable constraint, I’m happy to talk to the Chief Commissioner of Police Shane Patton, about what the threshold should be for that. I don’t want anyone to feel unsafe getting to a place of exercise,” said Chief Health Officer Sutton, as reported by 7news.

“If we can make revisions around the directions, if that’s required, I’m happy to do that but it might just be a matter of clarifying interpretation with the chief commissioner.”

The Department of Health and Human Services has since confirmed the rule has been changed to allow Melburnians to drive to an exercise spot within 5km of their home.

Never miss a story. Sign up to Beat’s newsletter and you’ll be served fresh music, arts, food and culture stories three times a week.