Dave Hughes wasn’t wearing a face mask as he enjoyed some light exercise in Melbourne on Monday – as he fired off several angry tweets about Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews’ Covid-zero strategy and ultra-hardcore lockdown.
The comedian and radio host, 50, was spotted fixating on his phone as his children roller-skated nearby at Peanut Farm Reserve in St Kilda.
At one point, Hughes was seen playing basketball with his children before chatting with a fellow parent.
Sighting: Dave Hughes wasn’t wearing a face mask as he enjoyed some light exercise in Melbourne on Monday afternoon, at about the same time he fired off several angry tweets about Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews’ Covid-zero strategy
A spokesperson for Hughes said he’d been exercising at the popular athletic park and therefore did not need to wear a mask.
‘Dave was exercising and often plays basketball with his children in the park,’ they said.
‘Under Victoria’s mask rules you do not need to wear a face mask when exercising.’
Outdoors: The comedian and radio host, 50, was spotted scrolling through his phone while his children roller-skated nearby at Peanut Farm Reserve in St Kilda
Playing ball: At one point, Hughes was seen playing basketball with his children
The Victorian Government’s rules on mask-wearing outdoors state: ‘You do not need to wear a face mask when exercising if you are out of breath or puffing.
‘You must carry a face mask with you at all times unless you have a lawful reason not to.’
Hughes was dressed casually in a blue shirt and black jeans, which he teamed with a pair of black sneakers.
Catching up: A maskless Hughes was seen chatting to a fellow parent on the basketball court in between exercising with his kids
Taking aim: Hughes lined up a shot as he played basketball with his youngsters
Explanation: A spokesperson for Hughes said he’d been exercising at the popular athletic park and therefore did not need to wear a mask
Response: ‘Dave was exercising and often plays basketball with his children in the park, and under Victoria’s mask rules you do not need to wear a face mask when exercising,’ the rep said
At about the same time Hughes was in the park, he fired off a series of tweets about Victoria’s strategy of reducing Covid cases through harsh lockdowns.
‘Will PM ever wake up and realise Premiers have dismantled the Federation?’ he wrote.
A second tweet read: ‘Yes, Vic public struggling with Covid Zero Mission lockdown tightening. Maybe cos last time, while Vic Govt patting itself on the back for 5th Covid Zero Mission accomplished, more cases were announced, and Vic public were back in lockdown for 6th Covid Zero Mission. Still going.’
Style: Hughes was dressed casually in a blue shirt and black jeans, which he teamed with a pair of black sneakers
Rules: The Victorian Government’s rules on mask-wearing outdoors state: ‘You do not need to wear a face mask when exercising if you are out of breath or puffing. You must carry a face mask with you at all times unless you have a lawful reason not to’
‘Covid Zero Mission’: At about the same time Hughes was pictured at the park, he fired off a series of tweets about Victoria’s strategy of reducing Covid cases through harsh lockdowns
Hughes faced backlash on Twitter for criticising Premier Andrews and the Victorian government.
‘Dave, you are not being helpful. Past your use-by date. Go live in NSW. Just, just try to be helpful,’ one critic tweeted.
‘Dave, tell me how this tweet is helpful or constructive. Even better, tell me what your solution is?’ another wrote.
‘Stick to comedy mate… public policy is not your expertise,’ a third commented.
‘How are you still not getting it, Dave? How?’ added a fourth.
One Twitter user responded: ‘I used to think you were a decent comedian. Now I just wish you were a decent human. Disappointed.’
Slammed: Hughes faced backlash on Twitter for criticising Dan Andrews and the government
Backlash: ‘Dave, you are not being helpful. Past your use-by date. Go live in NSW. Just, just try to be helpful,’ one critic tweeted
Response: ‘Stick to comedy mate… public policy is not your expertise,’ another person wrote