Police are warning blatant breaches of the chief health officer's COVID-19 regulations will not be tolerated after fines of almost $60,000 were issued by Warrnambool officers last weekend.
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Senior Sergeant Shane Keogh said that between Friday last week and Monday this week 26 coronavirus infringement notices were issued, totalling $59,474, for breaches of the chief health officer's regulations.
On Friday two tickets for $9913 each were issued to the operators of the Anchor Belle Motel in Warrnambool after police busted prostitutes operating from the business.
And then Saturday night provided a bonanza for Warrnambool police.
A night shift Warrnambool divisional van crew headed to Kirkstall and found a group of young people at an address who were in breach of coronavirus regulations.
A warning was issued to those in attendance.
Police were called back about an hour later, returned to the party and found even more people from other homes gathered at the address.
Seven $1652 tickets were issued.
On the same night three people who visited a central Warrnambool address for dinner were also caught and were issued with $1652 infringement notices.
That was $4956 in fines, making for a very expensive meal.
Police also busted 10 young people attending a party at a central/east Warrnambool address and $1652 fines were issued.
On Monday four people were parked near each other at the Warrnambool breakwater.
They were within 1.5 metres of each other, had no excuse for being there and were issued with fines.
Under stage three of coronavirus pandemic restrictions there are only four reasons to not be home - work, exercise, medical/care and to buy essentials.
Senior Sergeant Keogh said generally Warrnambool residents were complying with restrictions, in particular wearing face masks while outside their home.
"If people are found to be blatantly breaching CHO (chief health officer) regulations they will be subject to a penalty notice being issued," he said.
"We don't put the rules in place, but we will enforce them."
Senior Sergeant Keogh also reminded visiting workers from Melbourne that they were subject to their home stage four restrictions.
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