PREMIER Daniel Andrews has announced new rules for regional Victorian businesses to help stop the spread of COVID-19.
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Mr Andrews has revealed a new rule for businesses seating diners at cafes and other businesses at today's press conference.
Regional businesses will need to take reasonable steps to establish where diners are from, with those consistently failing to check where people are from exposed to fines.
This check could be achieved by asking customers to show their drivers' license or Keypass ID.
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"If the customer cannot satisfy the shop owner or business, then the default will be that they assume the person is from Melbourne and that rules for that area apply," Mr Andrews said.
People lawfully travelling into regional Victoria from Melbourne already can stop if they are, for example ordering coffees or food, but cannot dine in.
Mr Andrews said the logic was that residents of Melbourne would carry their lockdown restrictions with them to stop infections from areas with higher rates of the virus spreading to those with lower rates.
The new rule has not been prompted by lax businesses or problem diners, Mr Andrews said.
Instead, it is an extra precaution to deal with the "stubborn" tail of the second wave he hopes will help businesses and health officials trace potential outbreaks.
Businesses could be fined $10,000 for breaching the rules. Permitted workers from Melbourne could be fined $5000 if they fail to follow the state's health directions.
Businesses that do the right thing but are misled by someone intent on breaking the rules will not be fined, the government says.
Instead, individuals found deliberately ignoring the restrictions will risk a fine of $1,652.
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