Warrnambool mayor fined for breaching coronavirus restrictions

He and three other individuals each copped a $1652 COVID-19 fine after a picture surfaced online of a group drinking beer on the street outside The Whalers Hotel around 9pm on April 7.

In a statement, the mayor said he believed his actions were "within the bounds of the law" but he was "genuinely sorry".

"Warrnambool police have issued me with a fine for failing to comply with the stay-at-home directions in place to help contain the spread of COVID-19," he said.

"The police explained in detail their decision to impose the fine. I made mistakes on the night of April 7 and I wish to apologise for them.

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"I had believed my actions to engage with business owners as part of my mayoral role was within the bounds of the law

"However, I realise that I had inadvertently breached the new laws to keep the community safe. I am genuinely sorry for my actions."

The image also depicts the mayor's car parked facing the incorrect direction outside the pub.

A Victoria Police spokeswoman said four individuals were issued a COVID-19 ticket.

"Following reports of people gathering and drinking in a street outside a Warrnambool licenced premise on Tuesday 7 April, police can confirm they have issued four penalty notices for breaching Chief Health Officer directions," she said.

Cr Tony Herbert said he would not be stepping down as mayor.

"Warrnambool has been good to me and I want to continue to give back. I look forward to contributing to the community as mayor," he said.

"I have appreciated the messages of support from fellow councillors, the community and business owners at this time which has further strengthened my resolve to do a better job."

The incident happened just hours after Cr Herbert issued a warning to the community to "step up" self-isolation measures in a video posted on the council Facebook page.

Whalers Hotel Warrnambool owner Susie Porter clarified the business was not involved.

"It had nothing to do with us, we'd already closed that night," she said.

"It's disappointing that the Whalers Hotel sign is above where it happened but we didn't know anything about it.

"We know those involved were terribly sorry but it didn't look good, it was careless for society and for Warrnambool.

"I don't think they meant any harm by it but it does look bad, really bad. Businesses should be doing their takeaway and going straight home, no-one should be sitting out on the street anywhere."

It happened the same week NSW Arts Minister Don Harwin quit his portfolio two days after it was revealed he'd decamped to his Central Coast holiday home during the coronavirus crisis.

More than 6447 Australians have caught the virus and about 57 per cent of them have recovered.

The number of infections worldwide has passed two million

Australian deaths stand at 63: 26 in NSW, 14 in Vic, four in Qld, six in WA, six in Tas, three in ACT, four in SA. 19 were passengers on the Ruby Princess.

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