Hundreds of Melburnians flocked to the beaches, many unmasked, seven months ahead of the town’s hottest weekend.
On Friday afternoon, crowds were seen at St Kilda, Williamstown, and Port Melbourne, placing health authorities on the brink ahead of the warm weekend.
Those in metropolitan Melbourne are permitted to exercise or socialise outside for a maximum of two hours each day, within a 5 km radius of their residence, under current COVID-19 restrictions.
Individuals can only meet in groups of up to five out of a maximum of two households, and social distance must be preserved.
And while eating and drinking, they’re often expected to wear a mask-or risk being given a $200 fine.
Premier Daniel Andrews, pleading with citizens to adhere to the rules.
“The weather is going to be better,” Premier Daniel Andrews told reporters on Friday.
“Can I just ask every Victorian, if you’ve got symptoms this weekend please don’t wait until Monday to get tested.”
On Friday, Victoria reported only seven new infections and a further two fatalities.
The number of Victorians currently totals 802 who have fallen to the virus and the national average is 890.
In metropolitan Melbourne and 0.2 in regional Victoria, the 14-day rolling average is now 12.8.