From midnight on 12 October hospitality businesses in regional Victoria face fines of up to $9,913 for failing to check if customers are from metropolitan Melbourne. The state of emergency and the state of disaster has also be extended from 11:59pm on 11 October 2020 until 11:59pm on 8 November.
Regional venues should request photo ID, such as a driver’s licence or Keypass, from customers. Businesses that follow the orders but are misled by customers will not be fined, with individuals who deliberately ignore restrictions risking a $1,652 fine. Melbournians who are found in regional Victoria without a valid reason face fines of up to $4,957.
Under the directions, people who don’t comply could also be taken to court and receive a fine of up to $20,000. Companies face fines of up to $100,000.
“We know regional businesses are doing everything they can to keep their community safe — and now we’re giving them the confidence to check that their customers are not breaking Chief Health Officer directions,” said Premier Daniel Andrews.
According to the ABC, Mr Andrews added: “I hope none of these fines have to get issued, none of them at all, but it is appropriate.”
Venues can accept a signed written form (Word doc) from customers who do not have photo ID or who have photo ID that does not match their ordinary residence or principle residence. This covers Melbournites who have been residing in regional locations since the first lockdown and are therefore allowed to dine-in at restaurants and cafés.
Business owners must refuse bookings and seated service to people who reside in metropolitan Melbourne, even if they are in regional Victoria for a permitted purpose. If a customer is in regional Melbourne for a permitted purpose, they can order take-away or delivery. Long-haul drivers can dine in dedicated sections of highway cafés and truck stops.