The Department of Transport is doubling the number of Public Transport Authorised Officers on Victoria's public transport network this weekend in an effort to ensure Melbourne residents aren't travelling into regional Victoria unlawfully.
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Regional interchange stations, including Southern Cross, will be monitored while Victoria Police's Operation Guardian will see 200 police monitoring key arterials, back roads and public transport networks to people travelling into regional Victoria are doing so lawfully.
"We're ramping up our efforts to protect the hard-won freedoms of regional Victorians," Department of Transport head of transport services Nick Foa said.
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"Our message to Melburnians is clear - do not travel to regional Victoria for the wrong reasons - you will be caught and turned away."
There will be strong coordination and joint patrols between public transport staff and Victoria Police and anyone who is deliberately, obviously or blatantly flouting these travel restrictions, faces a fine of $5,452.
"(We) will have double the number of Multi Modal Public Transport Authorised Officers out on the network," Mr Foa said.
"Our officers will be stationed at regional and metropolitan stations, including Southern Cross, to support Victoria Police's Operation Guardian and making sure people are travelling for one of the five permitted reasons."
Masks must are compulsory when travelling on public transport, in a taxi or with a rideshare service. QR codes have also been installed across the public transport network to keep passengers safe and support the Department of Health's contact tracing efforts.
For full information on restrictions and exposure sites go to coronavirus.vic.gov.au
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