Daniel Andrews shares two-word message to Melburnians alongside photos of city’s ghost town streets

REVEALED: Daniel Andrews’ emotional two-word message to Melburnians as he shares haunting photos of ghost town streets across the city

  • Victorian premier shared two-word message thanking city for their support
  • Melburnians are under unprecedented stage-four restrictions for six weeks
  • The draconian restrictions include a curfew from 8pm to 5am every day
  • Premier shared seven photos on Twitter of the city’s streets nearly deserted 
  • The major road arteries include the Tullamarine Freeway and M80 Ring Road

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews has shared a heartfelt message thanking Melburnians for their support during the state’s unprecedented stage-four lockdown.

With hundreds of businesses deemed non-essential forced to shut and citizens locked in their homes during a curfew, the city’s streets have been left deserted.

On Tuesday night, Mr Andrews tweeted three photos showing the city’s normally bustling streets empty, and thanked Victorians for sticking to the rules.

The premier shared seven photos across two posts – including those showing the Tullamarine Freeway and the M80 Ring Road.

Both are normally filled with traffic and act as major arteries going in and around central Melbourne. 

In the caption, Mr Andrews wrote simply: ‘Thank you’. 

Daniel Andrews has shared pictures of Melbourne’s empty roads during the unprecedented stage-four restrictions (pictured, the Tullamarine Freeway in the city’s north-west)

Pictured: The M80 Ring Road. The orbital freeway acts as a major road moving traffic around Australia's second most populated city

Pictured: The M80 Ring Road. The orbital freeway acts as a major road moving traffic around Australia’s second most populated city

In the caption to the tweet separated into two posts, Mr Andrews wrote simply: 'Thank you'

In the caption to the tweet separated into two posts, Mr Andrews wrote simply: ‘Thank you’

Stage four restrictions came into place for six weeks at 6pm on Sunday after the declaration of a State of Disaster. This included a curfew from 8pm to 5am every day. 

Residents are only allowed to leave the home for one of four reasons: to shop for essential goods, to exercise, for medical care, to work in an essential industry or visiting a partner or child. 

Anyone directed to self isolate is not allowed to leave their home to exercise. 

Victoria recorded 439 new infections on Tuesday, out of a total 12,335 cases of COVID-19 confirmed since the pandemic began. 

There were 11 deaths, bringing the state’s death toll to 147. 

Of the new cases, 63 are linked to outbreaks or complex cases and 376 are under investigation.  

Earlier on Tuesday, Mr Andrews lashed out at some Melburnians for their ‘unacceptable’ and ‘selfish’ behaviour. 

A woman wearing a face mask is pictured crossing the road as a large group of police patrol the streets in Melbourne on Tuesday (pictured)

A woman wearing a face mask is pictured crossing the road as a large group of police patrol the streets in Melbourne on Tuesday (pictured)

Police can now hand out $5,000 fines for anyone breaching self isolation directives (pictured are police patrolling Melbourne on Tuesday)

Police can now hand out $5,000 fines for anyone breaching self isolation directives (pictured are police patrolling Melbourne on Tuesday)

‘Stay at home means stay at home for all of us, but it certainly it means stay at home for those who  have the virus or those who have been directed to isolate,’ he said on Tuesday.

Mr Andrews announced the introduction of the harshest penalties across the country for individuals breaking laws around COVID-19 – a $4,957 on-the-spot fine.

‘If you are supposed to be at home and you are not, then you face the prospect of a fine of up to $5,000,’ Mr Andrews said.

‘We don’t want it to come to that. We want people to be where they are supposed to be. Because that is how we will all get past this.’  

Daniel Andrews announced the introduction of the harshest penalties across the country for individuals breaking laws around COVID-19 on Tuesday. Pictured wearing a face mask on Monday

Daniel Andrews announced the introduction of the harshest penalties across the country for individuals breaking laws around COVID-19 on Tuesday. Pictured wearing a face mask on Monday

He also indicated authorities would take legal action against those putting lives at risk.  

‘If there were particularly selfish behaviour, like for instance going to work when you have the virus, then there is the alternative pathway and that is of course taking you to the Magistrates’ Court where the maximum penalty that can be applied to you is $20,000,’ he said.

‘Every single positive case will be door-knocked multiple times, random and repeat door knocks. 

Stage three lockdown will come into effect in the rest of Victoria at 11.59pm on Wednesday. 

What will still be open in Melbourne Stage 4 

Supermarkets, bottle shops, petrol stations, pharmacies, post offices, banks

Retailers working onsite to fulfill online orders 

Hardware, building an garden supplies for trade

Specialist stationery for business use 

Motor vehicle parts for emergency repairs, mechanics

Locksmiths, laundry and dry cleaners, maternity supplies

Disability and health services and equipment, mobility devices 

Farms and commercial fishing

Vets, pounds and animal shelters

Construction of critical infrastructure and services to support those projects

Supermarkets will stay open

Supermarkets will stay open

Critical repairs to homes where required for emergency or safety

Cafes and restaurants for takeaway

Media 

Critical service call centres

Medicare

Law enforcement and courts for urgent matters

Prisons, facilities for parolees, adult parole board, youth justice facilities

Emergency services

Essential maintenance and manufacturing

FULL LIST 

What will be closed in Melbourne Stage 4 

Furniture wholesalers

Personal care including hairdressers

Car washes

Pubs, taverns, bars, brothels and prostitution services, clubs, nightclubs

Food courts, restaurants, cafes, etc 

Architectural, engineering and technical services

Travel and tour agencies 

Non-emergency call centre operations

Non-urgent elective surgery

Museums, parks and gardens, ski resorts

Gambling

Places of worship except what is required to stream services or provide soup kitchens and food banks 

Manufacturing of non-metallic mineral and fabricated metal products, furniture, wood, textile, leather fur, dressing knitted, clothing and footwear, domestic appliances

All office-based and professional businesses, except those delivering critical services, must work from home

OPERATING BUT LIMITED

Building sites of more than three storeys – 25 per cent of workforce

Less than three storeys- five workers on site at a time only

Meat processing – workers cut by a third

Shopping centres for access to permitted retail only

Public transport, ride share and taxis only to support access to permitted services for permitted workers

Thoroughbred, harness and greyhound racing with minimum number of essential participants to operate safely 

FULL LIST  

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