VICTORIA'S state of emergency will be extended for another three weeks in a bid to keep slowing the spread of coronavirus and keep people safe as restrictions are eased across the state from Monday.
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Health Minister Jenny Mikakos announced on Sunday morning the state of emergency will be extended until 11.59pm on June 21.
The extension will allow the Victorian Government to continue to enforce strict physical distancing and isolation requirements, as well as other directions from the Chief Health Officer relating to businesses, working from home, mass gatherings and recreational activities.
The continued high testing rate in Victoria, coupled with the current low rate of community transmission, means restrictions will be further relaxed from Monday - but Minister Mikakos warned the battle against coronavirus was far from over.
"Victorians will no doubt welcome the further easing of restrictions from tomorrow, but our coronavirus fight is far from over. Keeping the State of Emergency in place will ensure we have the tools we need to keep Victorians safe," Minister Mikakos said.
"This is the biggest public health challenge we've faced in our lifetimes, and we need all Victorians to keep doing their bit by continuing to follow the directions of the chief health officer and working from home if they can."
Through this pandemic, the advice to Victorians has remained the same: stay home. As people begin to settle into a new normal, the message is: stay safe. That means continuing to maintain physical distance from others, take appropriate hygiene precautions, avoid crowds, stay home and get tested if you're unwell.
A vital part of this is continuing to work from home if possible - to limit the number of people moving around our state and help protect those who do have to go to work.
Under a State of Emergency, officers authorised by the Victorian chief health officer can act to eliminate or reduce a serious risk to public health by detaining people, restricting movement, preventing entry to premises, or providing any other direction an officer considers reasonable to protect public health.
Police have strong powers to enforce directions and can issue on the spot fines, including up to $1,652 for individuals and up to $9,913 for businesses. 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.
For information about coronavirus visit coronavirus.vic.gov.au or call 1800 675 398.
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