Coronavirus Melbourne: Victoria Premier Daniel Andrews pulled over by police

Victorias police force is so thorough at checking the movements of Melbourne residents, officers even pulled over the states Premier this morning. Daniel Andrews said he was stopped by officers checking motorists weren’t breaching the 5km travel limit as part of the city’s strict lockdown.
In the past 24 hours, Victoria reported 76 new coronavirus infections and 11 deaths. That’s down from 81 cases on Friday. Of those deaths five occurred on Friday with the remainder from earlier but only now counted in the daily numbers.
Tomorrow, the Victorian Government is set to explain its road map out of stage four restrictions. The strict curfew and lockdowns were due to finish on September 13 but are widely expected to be extended for several more weeks.
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At Saturday’s press conference, Mr Andrews was aked a question about reports some police officers were covering their name tags and badges so they couldn’t be identified at today’s anti-lockdown protests.
Mr Andrews said he wasn’t aware of that happening. It was then that the Premier revealed his own run in with the law.
”My vehicle was stopped on the way to the office this morning and the officer was clearly identifiable,” he said.
“And I thanked him for the work that he and his colleagues were doing.”
Since August 2, Melburnians have not been able to venture further that 5km from their homes for one of the four permitted outdoor activities which include shopping for essentials, exercise and caring for others.
The Premier would be exempt from the 5km rule but the hundreds of people who gathered in Albert Park and other areas in the city to protest the stage four restrictions today certainly would not.
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A number of dramatic arrests took place at the Shrine of Remembrance.
A woman was taken to Melbourne West police station, while a mask-less man – who repeatedly called police “Nazi dogs” – was arrested at the Shrine on Saturday morning.
The Premier slammed anti-lockdown demonstrators calling their behaviour “absolutely selfish”.
“It is not safe, it is not smart, it is not law. In fact, it is absolutely selfish for people to be out there protesting,” Daniel Andrews told reporters this morning.
In a statement issued this morning, Victoria Police said it’s “very clear” under stage four restrictions in Melbourne “that people cannot leave their home to protest”.
“Participating in this proposed protest would be a serious and blatant breach of the Chief Health Officer’s directions and jeopardises the health of the entire community.
“We will have a strong, visible presence in and around the CBD.
“We are extremely well prepared to respond, and those thinking of still protesting in the city can expect a swift and firm response from police.
“We have no hesitation in issuing $1,652 fines to anyone blatantly breaching the restrictions, as well as making arrests if necessary.”