State of emergency extended

PREMIER Daniel Andrews has this morning announced that the current state of emergency in place to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic has been extended for another month.

That means the soonest it could be lifted is 11 May and that stage three restrictions will remain in place.

In a statement Mr Andrews said restrictions on movement and social interaction were having an affect but the challenge was by no means over.

“There are positive signs our efforts are working, but if we relax now, our hard-won gains will evaporate and people will die,” he said.

“This is an unprecedented crisis. We need to extend the state of emergency to help slow the spread of the virus, protect our health system and save lives.”

Under the state of emergency, agents of the government known as authorised officers working at the direction of the Chief Health Officer have the power to take measures to eliminate or reduce a serious risk to public health by detaining people, restricting movement, preventing entry to premises, or providing any other direction considered reasonable to protect public health.

As part of the measures police have been given powers to enforce the orders and can issue on the spot fines, including up to $1652 for individuals and up to $9913 for businesses.

People who don’t comply with orders during the state of emergency could also be taken to court and receive a fine of up to $20,000. Companies face fines of up to $100,000.

Department of Health and Human Services figures until 6am today show 1268 confirmed case of COVID-19 in Victoria (up three from 12pm the day before) resulting in 14 deaths and 1015 patients recovered.

Ballarat has recorded 10 cases, Golden Plains and Moorabool shires one case each, Hepburn Shire has two cases listed and there have been no recorded occurrences of COVID-19 in Pyrenees Shire.