The NSW government has announced hefty penalties for anyone from a Melbourne coronavirus hotspot attempting to enter NSW.
If you live in one of the 36 Melbourne suburbs identified as a coronavirus hotspot, then a trip to NSW could set you back $11,000 or land you six-months in jail. NSW health minister Brad Hazzard made the announcement earlier today. Hazzard also revealed NSW residents will be subject to the same punishment should they decide to visit one of the affected suburbs.
Meanwhile, the Victorian government is strongly urging residents of the ten hot-zone postcodes to get tested for coronavirus, irrespective of whether they’re showing symptoms. “It’s more important than ever for the over 300,000 Victorians living in the restricted postcodes to get tested, regardless of whether you have symptoms,” the state government said in a new media release.
They’re trying to make it as convenient as possible to do so – 22 testing sites are already up and running across the ten postcodes and 12 new sites are being created. The ten hot zone postcodes (which comprise 36 suburbs in total) will re-enter Stage 3 Stay at Home restrictions from midnight Thursday, July 2nd (i.e. after 11.59pm Wednesday).
The restrictions will remain in place until at least Wednesday, July 29th, meaning there are only four justifiable reasons to be out of the house. In case you’ve forgotten, that’s shopping for food and supplies, care and caregiving, exercise, and to travel to your place of work or education if you can’t do it from home.
“Wherever you can, you should do these things as close to home as you can. But if you do need to leave your postcode, those same restrictions – those same four reasons – travel with you,” said Premier Daniel Andrews, pre-empting anyone thinking of postcode-hopping to grab a coffee or get on the beers.
“We know close personal contact has been the source of the spread. That’s why we need local residents to do the right thing: assume you may be infectious – and act accordingly,” said Andrews.
Check out ‘Coronavirus lockdown orders reimposed’ via ABC News:
