Wimmera residents speaking to the Mail-Times in Horsham on Friday afternoon welcomed the new laws as a method of keeping the community safe.

Horsham's Emily O'Neill said it was the right step to avoid an outbreak similar to recent cases in Kilmore and Shepparton.

Two cases were found in Kilmore after an essential traveller illegally dined at a cafe and unknowingly spread COVID-19.

"People definitely should be checking (IDs), because otherwise people could just say they're from anywhere," she said.

"We're doing the right thing here in Horsham. We don't have any cases, so we don't want people coming in from Melbourne and putting us in a situation like Shepparton.

"I think it's a good idea."

Julie Hedt also agreed with the new rule, but said the $9,913 fine for businesses seemed "steep".

She said small businesses had suffered enough.

"It's a bit hard when the onus is on the business; that they are having to act like police," she said.

"The fine is pretty steep - that's pretty tough when things have been pretty crummy all year, especially for hospitality. They've had it really rough.

"I can understand why (they've got the fines so high), but hopefully there is a bit of common sense that goes with that as well.

"Nobody should be fined because someone isn't telling the truth."

Some businesses owners also suggested the ID rule felt "invasive", as if accusing customers of doing the wrong thing.

Julie however felt that most people would be happy to oblige.

"If everyone is asked the same questions and nobody is singled out, then I would be totally fine with it," she said.

"As long as it is consistent and everyone is getting asked for their ID, there should be no problem.

"We've all got to do what we've got to do at the moment."

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Andrew Hedt agreed that it was a good step to keep the community safe, and to get things back to normal.

"We have to do what we can to keep regional Victoria free of the virus," he said.

"The more we do, the sooner we can get rid of these masks."

Heather Barton from Goroke said she felt better knowing businesses were checking every customer.

"It doesn't bother me at all. I actually prefer it," she said.

"I work in aged care, and I would prefer to know where visitors have come from. It makes you feel more prepared.

"It's what we've got to do right now to help minimise it."

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