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TUESDAY, MARCH 31, 2020
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FRUIT AND VEG
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PropertyGuide GippslandTimes
No more than two gathering, or risk big fines:
New rules to slow COVID-19 spread Sarah Luke
STAGE three restrictions are now being enforced across Australia, which involves a ban on gatherings of more than two people. The ban excludes people who live in the same household, or those who must gather for work and education requirements, if they cannot work or learn from home. Public playgrounds, outside gyms and skate parks closed yesterday, and boot camps have been reduced to two people. The restrictions will be reviewed after four weeks. Those who break the rules can now cop an onthe-spot fine of $1652 for individuals and $9913 for businesses. Premier Daniel Andrews said the new rules were critically important, and the state could not “have people out socialising, gathering, as if this wasn’t happening�. He reiterated federal government advice regarding the only instances when people should leave the house. “My message to every Victorian is that there are only four reasons to leave your home — food and supplies, medical care, exercise, and work or education. “We will not be breaking up household family dinners — but barbecues with the neighbours cannot happen anymore,� he said, reiterating that people having gatherings of more than two people, such as hosting dinners or drinks with people who were not members of their household, would be breaking the law. People may gather for work and education, if they cannot work or learn remotely. The four metre square rule applies to those still at work and education.
Playgrounds have closed as a result of new restrictions, in a bid to slow the spread of COVID-19 Mr Andrews also told people to shop as infrequently as possible and exercise in groups no larger than two, unless they were members of the same household. He said people could go for a bike ride with other people who lived in their household, or in a group of two, but they could not head out for their normal Saturday ride with their 10-strong cycling group. People could not spend a day at the beach, but could have a short walk at the beach for exercise. “We’ve got to protect the health system, we’ve got to save lives, and we’ve got to protect jobs too,� Mr Andrews said. “Most Victorians are doing the right thing and I’m grateful to them. “But we continue to see instances of people gathering in significant numbers so we must do more,� he said. “If everyone follows these rules — and they are simple as they can be — then we will slow the spread of this virus, we will save lives, we will
protect our health system, we will get through this together and we will get to the other side quicker,� Mr Andrews said. “Some of these rules, I’ve heard people say they’re very, very complex,� Mr Andrews said. “There are many complex things in the world. “This is not one of them — stay at home. “You face an on-the-spot fine of more than $1600 and Victoria Police will not hesitate to take action against you. “We’re not doing it for any other reason than this is life and death. “Whilst many vulnerable people are at the highest risk, there are other people who have been otherwise healthy, no pre-existing medical conditions, in their 40s and 50s, who have died in other parts of the world. “That will happen here, if we don’t slow the spread. “Unless you want to be burying an elderly relative, or your best mate, or your parents if they’re younger, then do the right thing. “The message could not be simpler. “Stay at home — if you don’t, people will die. “Just use common sense, and some common decency.� “The events we are living through are unprecedented and are going to mean big changes for everyone from our littlest Victorians to our most senior citizens,� Mr Andrews said. “Life is going to look very different for a while, but if we don’t make these changes now, the virus will continue to spread, and our health system will be overwhelmed. “And while we’re treating patients suffering from coronavirus, we also need to keep looking after newborn babies, heart attack and stroke patients, Continued page 4
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