By Mitchell Clarke
Authorities are hopeful social distancing restrictions will be followed over the Easter holiday period, as Cardinia’s confirmed Covid-19 cases remains at 11.
On the eve of the potentially dangerous period, the city of Casey has defied Victoria’s flattening curve, recording a spike of eight new infections in just two days, bringing the municipalities total to 45.
Meanwhile, Yarra Ranges has 20 confirmed cases, Greater Dandenong, 15 and Baw Baw, five.
The total number of coronavirus cases in Victoria is 1212, as of Wednesday 8 April, an increase of 21 from Tuesday 7 April. Currently 45 people are in hospital – including 12 patients in intensive care – and 736 people have recovered from the virus. More than 60,000 tests have so far been conducted.
More than 100 confirmed cases of Covid-19 across the state may have been acquired through community transmission, causing authorities to plead with the public to stay home.
There are only four exceptions to leave the house – food and supplies, medical care and care giving, exercise, and work or education.
Since Monday night, 6 April, Victoria Police have conducted 835 spot checks at homes, businesses and non-essential services and issued 114 fines as part of Operation Sentinel.
Among some of the fines handed out to people included three friends who were found playing video games in a lounge room and did not live together.
Four people were fined after being found walking the streets seeking drugs and a group of friends also received infringements for hanging out in a park.
Victoria’s Chief Health Officer professor Brett Sutton urged people not to look for loopholes but to follow the advice, “do the right thing” and stay home, particularly over the Easter holidays.
“The rules are clear – and they don’t change over Easter: if you can stay at home, you must stay at home,” Professor Sutton said.
“This is tough for many families, but no Easter holiday is worth a life. Stay at home, protect the health system, and save lives.
“There is no doubt about it – physical distancing will save lives.”
For more details, dhhs.vic.gov.au/coronavirus.
