Drones to monitor AFL fans on Grand Final day a 'necessary intrusion'

The use of drones to monitor AFL Grand Final fans in Victoria this weekend is a necessary step as the state eases its lockdown, Collingwood President Eddie McGuire says.

Victoria Police will deploy drones and helicopters to monitor AFL fans in public spaces, including parks and beaches during Saturday's Grand Final.

Under current COVID-19 restrictions in Melbourne, indoor gatherings are banned. And no more than two households, up to 10 people, can gather outdoors in public spaces.

McGuire told Today fans should accept drone surveillance as a necessary intrusion.

READ MORE: Tool shows where you can travel within your 25km radius in Melbourne

"I say just everybody do the right thing this weekend," he said.

"I think these things (drones) sometimes can get put up so people pull up.

"Melburnians have gone through hell over the last six months. We're nearly there. So let's get it through the Grand Final and then hopefully focus and get to Christmas."

Fines ranging between $1600 to nearly $5000 apply for breaches of the health regulations.

Assistant Commissioner Luke Cornelius said drones were used to give police "situational awareness" in public gatherings.

"It gives us real-time appreciation of crowd numbers, crowd behaviour," he said.

He clarified drones would not be "hovering over people's backyards".

But police would be on the lookout for any illegal parties and gatherings.

"The transmission is 20 times higher than anywhere else, and that's why it's our focus.

"If we see a large number of vehicles outside someone's house, of course we are going to check what's going on."

McGuire said the coronavirus alert for residents across five suburbs in Melbourne's north showed the pandemic remained a threat.

Residents are being told to be tested for coronavirus if they develop symptoms as a result of a student at East Preston Islamic College who contracted COVID-19.

READ MORE: Full list of Melbourne's lockdown restrictions that have eased

Any residents in the northern suburbs of Dallas, Roxburgh Park, Broadmeadows, Preston and West Heidelberg must get tested immediately if they develop symptoms.

Meanwhile, the ring of steel – the checkpoint operations on Melbourne's outskirts – will be expanded to back roads to stop city residents from going to regional Victoria where bigger gatherings are allowed and pubs and restaurants are open.

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