Melburnians Appear to Break Social Distancing Rules While Buying Weekend Groceries

Hundreds of weekend shoppers in Melbourne’s northern suburbs have challenged social distancing restrictions to gather at shopping strips.

Retailers say consumers who don’t follow health advice or chose not to listen are almost impossible to monitor.

Whittlesea local government area could be among the worst COVID-19 hotspots in Melbourne.

But the virus and miserable weather threat wasn’t enough in Lalor to deter the shoppers.

“It’s dangerous. It’s not easy,” No.1 Fruit Market owner Ahmed Alex said.

Several shoppers in Oakleigh dismissed new social distancing signage.

Farmers markets in the town were less busy.

Last night, the Victorian Government turned back on a vote to ban them.

Professor Brett Sutton, Chief Medical Officer, apologised for the misunderstanding.

“I know it was disruptive, I apologise ,” he said.

Anxious market traders have accepted the unexpected reprieve.

“We’d be looking at $20,000 to $25,000 worth of loss if these markets failed to go ahead,” John Davidson from The Cripps Family Fish Farm said.