13.04.2020
2 min read

Coronavirus Australia update: Victorian couple fined $3,300 over year-old holiday snaps

The couple was fined $1,652 each for breaching coronavirus restrictions. But they hadn’t left their home.

Police forced to defend their actions as 'stay at home' confusion rages

A Victorian couple was fined $1,652 each for breaching coronavirus restrictions after sharing year-old holiday snaps on Facebook.

Jazz Mot said Victoria Police fined her and her husband Garry for being in Lakes Entrance - two hours from their home - after she shared images on social media earlier this month.

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But they hadn’t left their home.

“I posted the photos that we took in Lakes Entrance in June last year,” she told 7NEWS.

The Traralgon woman says police then arrived at her home to issue the fine for “going for a drive to Lakes Entrance (non-essential travel)“.

A Victoria Police spokesman told 7NEWS the incident had been reviewed and “the decision has been made to withdraw the infringement notice”.

“On occasion, errors will be made however that is why a review process exists to ensure instances such as these are identified and rectified,” he said.

More on 7NEWS.com.au

Victoria Police are not specifically monitoring social media accounts to identify breaches of the Chief Health Officer directives.

Instead, the spokesperson said police will “follow up and investigate the circumstances surrounding individual potential breaches reported by the public”.

The $1,652 fine for individuals breaching coronavirus-related rules in Victoria is among the strictest in the country.

The man said he was the only customer at the carwash in Hoppers Crossing on Thursday morning when police pulled in. Credit: Facebook

It comes after a Victorian man had his infringement reversed after being fined for washing his car in Hoppers Crossing on Thursday morning.

Victorians are meant to leave their homes only for essential travel, including to buy food and to exercise, under stage three restrictions.

Victoria Police is encouraging the public to report those who are doing the wrong thing by calling 131 444 or going online.