People are seen exercising along St Kilda beach in Melbourne, Monday, September 28, 2020. Source: AAP
Victoria records 12 new coronavirus cases and one death as police beach patrols ramp up
October 4, 2020
Victoria has recorded another dozen coronavirus cases and one death, as police patrol Melbourne’s beaches after “unacceptable” crowding at St Kilda on Friday.
Victoria has recorded another 12 coronavirus cases and one death as authorities stay alert to crowding on beaches.
Melbourne’s 14-day rolling average now stands at 11.9 cases, according to figures released on Sunday, and there were 13 cases with an unknown source in the fortnight to 1 October.
Regional Victoria’s 14-day rolling average sat at 0.2 cases on Sunday, with no mystery cases . The average new daily case count needs to drop below five and there must be fewer than five mystery cases per fortnight before authorities further ease Melbourne’s lockdown restrictions.
With fine weather forecast in Melbourne on Sunday, police will maintain a presence at beaches after “unacceptable” scenes played out at a crowded St Kilda beach on Friday night.
Seven News footage showed crowds gathering at the beach – many without masks – while a journalist was approached by several people and kissed on head as he spoke live to camera.
Premier Daniel Andrews said he’d spoken with the chief police commissioner and officers would be out at beaches throughout the weekend.
“We are so, so close. Let’s not any of us do anything that might undermine the very positive numbers,” he told reporters on Sunday.
Victoria’s Department of Health and Human Services on Sunday posted a simple warning to Twitter: “no matter what the weather is like, it is important that we follow public health advice”.
Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton, who along with Mr Andrews condemned the St Kilda beach scenes, on Sunday retweeted an image of socially-distant Melbournians at a park in the northern suburb of Northcote.
“This is great. We can, and should, enjoy the outdoors. Safely,” he said.
Victoria’s death toll since the start of the pandemic is now 806. The latest death is that of a man in his 80s and linked to an aged care outbreak.
Across Australia, 894 people have died from COVID-19.
People in Australia must stay at least 1.5 metres away from others. Check your jurisdiction’s restrictions on gathering limits.
If you are experiencing cold or flu symptoms, stay home and arrange a test by calling your doctor or contact the Coronavirus Health Information Hotline on 1800 020 080. Source: SBS With AAP.
