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POLICE leaders have warned small groups of people openly flouting COVID-19 health directives, saying they don't believe the law applies to them.
Victoria announced a $4957 fine on Tuesday for those failing to self-isolate when required. Repeat offenders face fines of up to $20,000 in the Magistrates' Court.
The state reported 11 deaths and 439 new COVID-19 cases on Tuesday.
Chief Commissioner Shane Patton detailed a case of a policewoman whose head was allegedly slammed into concrete several times, after she approached a woman not wearing a mask in Frankston.
Chief Commissioner Patton said police had seen small groups of people calling themselves "sovereign citizens" in the last week, who don't believe the law applies to them.
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He said police had been forced to smash the windows of cars on three or four occasions in the past week, to pull people out of their cars after they refused to provide details at checkpoints.
Police Minister Lisa Neville said a minority of Victorians continued to knowingly do the wrong thing, and put people's lives at risk.
Ms Neville said this was ridiculous, dangerous and unacceptable.
She warned Victorian police would be out enforcing Melbourne's stage four restrictions, and regional Victoria's stage three restrictions.
Earlier
COVID-19 rule-breakers will face stricter penalties if they are found flouting self-isolation requirements.
Another 439 Victorian COVID-19 cases were announced on Tuesday. Eleven more Victorians have died from the coronavirus. All were linked to aged care settings.
New penalties comes as authorities warn people are not staying at home when they are meant to be self-isolating, because of suspected or confirmed COVID-19.
Premier Daniel Andrews said every single positive multiple case would be doorknocked at random, multiple times.
He said all close-contacts would be visited on the same basis.
Those who breach isolation requirements will receive a $4957 fine. Repeat offenders, or people who knowingly go to work with COVID-19, can be taken to the Magistrates' Court.
Mr Andrews said 800 of 3000 people doorknocked while meant to be self-isolating were unable to be found.
The state will draw on more than 500 extra Australian Defence Force personnel to enforce lockdown rules.
Mr Andrews said those meant to be self-isolating were no longer even allowed to leave their property for exercise.
Mr Andrews announced on Monday the toughest COVID-19 restrictions Australia has seen yet for Melbourne, as the state battles to control rising case numbers.
Central Victoria has avoided the hundreds of new cases seen in Melbourne. But as new case numbers continue to rise the region will return to stage three restrictions on Wednesday night.
Central Victoria recorded 14 new active COVID-19 cases on Monday, including four in Bendigo.
It brought Greater Bendigo's total active cases to 26, the second highest in central Victoria.
Macedon Ranges' total active cases were 28 on Monday. Mount Alexander sat at four active cases, Loddon three, and Campaspe one.
Nearly 1200 of Victoria's active cases are connected to the aged care system.
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