Stage three restrictions to battle the COVID-19 crisis will be implemented in Victoria at midnight on Monday.
Premier Daniel Andrews announced the tighter measures at a press conference on Monday morning with a clear message.
There were three key words he made a point of firmly repeating: "stay at home".
There were not any further restrictions announced in regards to a number of sectors, including business and public transport.
Any gatherings of crowds bigger than two people have also been banned, even if it is on your own property. This excludes households where more than two people live in the house.
The Premier has revealed 56 new cases of coronavirus were confirmed in Victoria overnight, bringing the state's total to 821.
The figure was much lower the weekend's huge jump of 225.
He said the message for Monday was simple, following Prime Minister Scott Morrison's advice on Sunday night.
"There are many complex things in the world, this is not one of them - stay at home," he said.
"Victoria has moved to stage three and that involves a ban with an on the spot fine of more than $1600 if you breach it, on gatherings with more than two people, other than those in your household. This is critically important.
"If you are outside in your backyard, gathering more than two people, having friends over for dinner or drinks that are not members of the household, you are breaking the law. No gathering with friends is worth someone's life.
Watch Monday morning's press conference here.
"Unless you want to be burying an elderly relative, or your best mate, or your parents, do the right thing... stay at home.
"Victoria Police will not hesitate to take action against you. That is how serious this is. No-one in my position enjoys doing this. We're not doing it for any other reason than this is life and death. If we allow our health system to be overrun, then people will die."
The announcement came after a weekend of crowding at Victoria's beaches that was described as "crap" by the state's Chief Health Officer.
"Some of the behaviour today - when we're asking people to stay home - has been really crap," he wrote in a tweet.
"It's hard to change habits and it's hard to see dangers that aren't apparent yet. But with 3,000 cases of COVID in Australia this week, we're headed to 100,000 in 2-3 weeks without change.
"That means thousands of deaths. Overwhelmed health services. Medical staff at unacceptable risk. Unstoppable spread. Do the right thing now and #StayAtHome. Today. Tomorrow. Until we're through this, please."
Police have conducted 3867 checks since March 21 on people who should have been quarantining, but no one has been charged with refusing or failing to comply with a direction.
Individuals face fines of up to $1652 for gathering in groups and businesses could cop penalties of $9913.
It will be up to the individual states and territories whether the new measures announced on Sunday are strictly enforced by police.
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