Source: news.com.au
One state has brought in tough new COVID-19 regulations that could see some businesses slapped with thousands of dollars in fines.
Victorian businesses not complying with QR code rules will be slapped with a $1652 fine, under tough new regulations now into effect.
The Victorian Government introduced the fines after contact tracers scrambled to track dozens of people who dined at a city restaurant, where a positive-COVID case visited last week.
Under the new regulation, businesses found intentionally flouting the code system will be issued the fine, along with an improvement notice and a follow up visit.
Repeated breaches would incur a further $9913 fine and businesses may be prosecuted in court for continued breaches.
Acting Premier James Merlino said on Thursday there had been a ‘serious challenge’ in the public’s uptake of the QR system, as a feeling of complacency had set in.
“The issue of compliance in recent times has been a real issue that we’re tackling,” Mr Merlino told reporters.
“It’s partly human nature. This has been a long pandemic and there’s a level of complacency and we need to combat that.
“We are not out of this pandemic and we won’t be out of it until we have successfully delivered the Commonwealth’s vaccine program.”
The warning comes after Melbourne city restaurant the Curry Vault was listed as a tier 1 public exposure site, after a man who later tested positive to coronavirus dined at the venue between 6.30pm and 9.30pm on May 7.
About 30 to 40 customers were in the restaurant at the time but not all had signed in using the QR code.
Acting police minister Danny Pearson said venues and facilities in the state were required to maintain an electronic record-keeping system for all visitors.
A recent COVID safe Blitz in April, where more than 4,000 hospitality and retail businesses were checked for compliance, saw more than 165 enforcement notices issued, as well as a further 300 verbal warnings.
“While most businesses are doing the right thing, those who aren’t are letting down every Victorian who has sacrificed to get us where we are today,” Mr Pearson said.
“This new on-the-spot $1652 fine sends a clear message that we will not tolerate any business ignoring its responsibility to help Victoria stay safe and stay open.”
