The ridiculous excuses Victorians are using to break strict stage four lockdown – including a man who refused to wear a mask because he was on FACETIME and another on a 3am bottle shop run
- Melbourne was placed under a Stage Four lockdown to slow spread of COVID-19
- Harsher restrictions including an 8pm curfew and a ban on unnecessary travel
- But some residents have already been caught breaking the new lockdown rules
- One man broke curfew looking for a bottle shop, another wanted to buy a burger
- The state recorded 439 new coronavirus cases and 11 deaths on Tuesday
Victorians have been issued a stern warning about breaking strict lockdown rules after several residents were already caught flouting restrictions.
Melbourne was placed under a stage four lockdown on Sunday for six weeks in a bid to slow the spread of COVID-19, which is threatening to sweep across the state.
Harsher restrictions include an 8pm until 5am curfew and a ban on leaving your home unless for work, exercise, perform care or to visit the shops at other times.
But overnight on Monday, 161 fines were given out by police - including to a man who refused to wear a face mask to the shops because he was 'face-timing a mate'.
Residents must requirement to wear a mask outdoors or be fined $200, and they are only allowed to shop or exercise within 5km of their homes.
Harsher restrictions includes an 8pm until 5am curfew and a ban on leaving your home unless for essential reasons (pictured: The Bolte Bridge during the first night of curfew on Sunday)
Melbourne is now enduring the country's most restrictive virus-control measures (Pictured: Police officers and soldiers patrol a popular running track in Melbourne)
In the early hours of Tuesday morning, a man was caught on his way to a McDonald's restaurant to buy a burger in Casey at 3.20am (stock image)
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In the early hours of Tuesday morning, one man was caught on his way to a McDonald's restaurant to buy a burger in the south-eastern suburb of Casey at 3.20am.
Another was caught after curfew trying to buy alcohol, while another simply said he 'was bored and wanted to go for a drive'.
One man also tried to avoid having to wear a face mask in public, telling police he was not wearing one because he was face-timing his friend who wouldn’t be able to see him properly if he wore it.
Police Chief Commissioner Shane Patton said the 'window for discretion' has now closed and warnings will no longer be issued.
In the past 24 hours until 11am Tuesday, there were 161 fines issued to residents for breaching the Chief Health Officer directions.
Premier Daniel Andrews warned authorities will be cracking down on rule-breakers.
He said those who breach isolation orders for a second time will be fined $4,957 - which will increase to $20,000 if they choose to fight the fines in court - as authorities desperately try to stop the spread of COVID-19.
The record fines come as a sweep of Melbourne by the Department of Health and Human Services on Monday found 800 out of the 3,000 people who were supposed to be isolating were not home when they knocked on their doors.
The warning comes after the state recorded a further 429 cases and 11 deaths.
Mr Andrews also closed a loophole which allowed those isolating to leave their home for exercise - and told those at home to 'get fresh air at the front door or in the backyard'.
About 1,500 police officers will enforce the strict quarantine orders and perform regular door knock checks.
Mr Andrews warned that further restrictions could follow if the state's efforts fail.
In a statement, the Premier said: 'What is clear is that if we don't do this now, if this doesn't work, then we'll need a much longer list of complete shutdowns.
'It's hard to imagine what a Stage 5 might look like. But it would radically change the way people live.
'Not just rules on when and where you can go shopping – but restrictions on going shopping at all.'
Under Stage Four, department stores like Myer, David Jones, Target, Big W, and Kmart will all be forced to close - but can sell online and have customers pick up their orders.
Bunnings will be closed to everyone except tradespeople, but as with retailers, other customers will be able to order online and pick up at the store.
Supermarkets, grocery stores, butchers, bakers, chemists and other essential services will remain open.
Australia's coronavirus outbreak is rapidly spiralling out of control because of the second wave of infections in Victoria
Also on the shutdown list are shops selling furniture, homewares, electircal, recreational goods, clothing and shoes, florists, and antiques.
Sales of vehicles, new and used, and car parts will close but mechanics allowed to stay open to keep essential services on the road.
Pharmacies, post offices, banks, petrol stations, bottle shops, and a small list of other businesses will be spared.
The financial fallout of the lockdown is predicted to be upwards of $25billion for Victoria alone.
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