Group of Rebels bikies are fined $15,000 for breaking coronavirus guidelines by partying in their Melbourne clubhouse

  • A group of bikies were fined after they were caught partying during pandemic
  • Police caught group at Rebels OMCG clubhouse in Sunshine West, on Tuesday
  • Victoria Police is doing spot checks to ensure people follow coronavirus rules 
  • Gatherings are restricted to no more than two people amid the pandemic 

By Kelsey Wilkie For Daily Mail Australia

Published: | Updated:

A group of bikies were slapped with $1,652 fines each after they were caught breaking coronavirus restrictions by having a party.

Nine people - seven men and two women - were at the Rebels OMCG clubhouse in Sunshine West, in Victoria, on Tuesday night when police stopped by.

Victoria Police were doing spot checks on homes and businesses to ensure residents are abiding by stage three restrictions, which were introduced on March 31 to curb the spread of the deadly coronavirus.

Nine people - seven men and two women - were at the Rebels OMCG clubhouse in Sunshine West, in Victoria, on Tuesday night when police stopped by (Pictured: Members of the outlaw motorcycle gang)

Nine people - seven men and two women - were at the Rebels OMCG clubhouse in Sunshine West, in Victoria, on Tuesday night when police stopped by (Pictured: Members of the outlaw motorcycle gang)

Police conducted 835 spot checks at homes, businesses and non-essential services across the state in the past 24 hours as part of Operation Sentinel and 114 fines have been issued

Under the rules, gatherings are restricted to no more than two people except for members of your immediate household.

Residents are only allowed to leave their homes for essential reasons, those being for food, work or education, exercise and medical care or compassionate needs.

Each member of the group was issued an on-the-spot fine of $1,652 for breaching the directions of the Chief Health Officer and provided directions to move on.

'As always, Victoria Police will be closely proactively monitoring all activities of outlaw motorcycle gangs,' a police spokesman said.   

'This will include issuing fines whenever they are found breaching the Chief Health Officer's directives by congregating in clubhouses.'

Police conducted 835 spot checks at homes, businesses and non-essential services across the state since Tuesday as part of Operation Sentinel and 114 fines have been issued.

Since 21 March, Victoria Police have conducted 16,039 spot checks.

In the past 24 hours seven people were issued infringements after they were caught having dinner party, which is against social distancing rules.

Across Australia residents can be fined for breaking social distancing rules, fines vary in each state and territory

Police have been stepping up spot checks amid the fight against the spread of the virus as Australia's infect rate begins to slow (Pictured: An infringement notice given to a cyclist on Sunday)

Police have been stepping up spot checks amid the fight against the spread of the virus as Australia's infect rate begins to slow (Pictured: An infringement notice given to a cyclist on Sunday)

Police have been stepping up spot checks amid the fight against the spread of the virus as Australia's infect rate begins to slow (Pictured: An infringement notice given to a cyclist on Sunday)

Four people were fined after they were caught walking the streets seeking drugs.

A group of friends was also issued infringements for hanging out in a park.

Since last month residents in NSW, Victoria, Queensland, Tasmania and the ACT have been banned from leaving home except for food and supplies, medical care, exercise, and work or education.

The rules are to slow the spread of the coronavirus to prevent hospitals from being swarmed with patients as scientists search for a cure.

SOCIAL DISTANCING LAWS EXPLAINED STATE-BY-STATE: HOW TO AVOID GETTING CAUGHT OUT

Queensland

Gatherings are restricted to two people, with residents only allowed out of their homes for a few essential reasons. 

This includes buying food or essential goods, getting a medical treatment or engaging in physical exercise. 

You can also visit a terminally ill relative or attend a funeral.

Students are also allowed to attend childcare, school, college or university.

From April 3, the state's borders will be closed to everyone except residents and essential workers.

New South Wales

NSW officials are also enforcing the two-person limit, with residents legally obliged to stay at home unless they have a 'reasonable excuse'. 

This includes travelling to work or school, buying food or other essentials, exercise and medical reasons.

It is left up to police officers to decide who will get the fines, with the maximum being an $11,000 fine or six months in prison.  

Victoria 

The state has also brought in the two-person limit inside and outside the home - not counting people you already live with.

Its chief medical officer Dr Brett Sutton confirmed an exception would made for people visiting their boyfriend or girlfriend if they lived separately. 

Otherwise, people are allowed to leave the house for one of five reasons - shopping for food, work and education, care reasons, exercise or other extenuating circumstances. 

Australian Capital Territory

The ACT is also enforcing the two-person limit, but people are allowed up to two guests inside their homes - only if there is at least four square metres per person.   

It also only allows people to leave home for essential reasons, including shopping for essentials, medical reasons, exercise, work or study.

Offenders are being issue with warnings, but may get a fine if they are found to be breaking the rules again.

Western Australia 

As well as closing its borders to non-residents, WA has also introduced fines for people who cross out of their region.

Nine regions have been carved up, and people cannot move between them for anything but an essential reason.

This includes going to work, medical appointments, school or other types of education.

Drivers are also allowed to transport freight, and people can go to a shop outside of their area if the essentials are not available closer to home.  

Northern Territory 

In NT, police are still enforcing a 10-person limit rather than just two people.

But chief minister Michael Gunner warned it may take further action if people don't stick to the rules.

All non-essential arrivals in the state must self-quarantine for 14 days, and people are not allowed to visit remote communities.

Tasmania

Tasmania also has brought into law the two-person limit, with residents only allowed to leave home for essential reasons.

This includes shopping, exercising, and going to healthcare apppointments. 

Going to a vet is also allowed, as is going to school or caring for another person.  

Arrivals must self-isolate for 14 days. 

South Australia

SA has also stuck to the 10-person limit, with $1,000 on-the-spot fines for people who have a larger group.

Again, all arrivals into the state must self-isolate for 14 days. 

 

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Bikies fined $1,652 each for breaking coronavirus guidelines by having party in Melbourne clubhouse

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