A Kyneton business owner has refused to take bookings from people wanting to visit from Melbourne’s coronavirus lockdown areas.
Ellenis Day Spa has had several people attempt to make a booking including one woman who argued that “nobody needs to know”.
Owner Irene Thompson said the spa had also cancelled dozens of advance bookings from people living within Melbourne’s lockdown zone.
“The feedback from many was positive, saying they’re 100 per cent supportive of the measures and are looking forward to coming back to enjoy a ‘covid-free’ area once the Melbourne lockdown ends,” Ms Thompson said.
The Malmsbury hotel has also turned down reservation requests from Melbourne residents.
Gisborne resident Michelle Minchew told the Midland Express she had heard reports of people from Hume and Melbourne attending appointments for personal services at other Macedon Ranges businesses since the lockdown restrictions came into effect.
“Anyone who has knowledge of people from lockdown areas breaking the law, and is not reporting it, is putting our towns and businesses at risk,” she said.
“I’d encourage anyone who knows of people doing the wrong thing to report it.”
Six weeks of stage 3 ‘stay at home’ restrictions for metropolitan Melbourne and Mitchell Shire have been in place since July 8.
Premier Daniel Andrews said there would only be three reasons to cross the border of those metropolitan areas: Shopping for food and essential items; care and caregiving; and work and study – if it couldn’t be done from home.
“For people who live in regional Victoria, where case numbers remain low, current restrictions will remain the same for now,” he said.
“We’ve talked about this virus being like a public health bushfire. By putting a ring around metropolitan Melbourne, we’re essentially putting in place a perimeter to protect regional Victorians.”
Local police have been patrolling towns across the Macedon Ranges as part of Operation Sentinel.
Macedon Ranges Inspector Chris Large said that from the very beginning of COVID-19 they had been conducting routine patrols to enforce the chief health officer’s restrictions.
“We’re seeing a high level of compliance in the Macedon Ranges but I would encourage people who witness things that concern them to report it to Crime Stoppers (1800 333 000) or the Police Assistance Line (13 14 44) and from there you’ll get a police response,” Insp Large said.
