VICTORIA Police will ramp-up their presence on public transport and V/Line services, as regional Victoria comes out of stage four lockdown.
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Operation Guardian will see 200 police monitoring key arterials, backroads and public transport to ensure those travelling into regional Victoria from Melbourne are doing so lawfully.
Anyone who is found to be flouting the rules will face fines of $5,542.
Department of Transport head of Transport Services Nick Foa said the increased presence was to ensure regions like the Wimmera would not be exposed to potential outbreaks.
"We're ramping up our efforts to protect the hard-won freedoms of regional Victorians and will have double the number of Multi Modal Public Transport Authorised Officers out on the network," he said.
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"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.
"Our message to Melburnians is clear - do not travel to regional Victoria for the wrong reasons - you will be caught and turned away."
In metropolitan Melbourne, there are currently only five reasons to leave home: for essential food and supplies, authorised work, care and caregiving, exercise, and getting vaccinated.
For full information on restrictions and exposure sites go to coronavirus.vic.gov.au.
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