JAKARTA - People in Melbourne are required to wear masks. This is because the government of the State of Victoria, Australia, will be subject to a fine of 200 Australian dollars or around Rp. 2 million (when the exchange rate of 1 Australian dollar equals Rp10 thousand).
Reported by Reuters, Prime Minister of Victoria, Daniel Andrews said, the policy of implementing this fine was carried out because the second most populous state in Australia had seen an increase in the number of corona virus infections in the past 2 weeks.
"We will be wearing masks in Victoria and potentially other parts of the country for a very long time," Andrews said at a television briefing.
He realized that there was no vaccine for COVID-19. "Masks are a simple thing, but it's about changing habits, it's about becoming a simple part of your routine," Andres said.
Australia had recorded around 11,800 cases of COVID-19 as of mid-July. This has also prompted the authorities to impose social distancing restrictions.
Victoria became the first state in Australia to require the use of masks for its residents.
Meanwhile, New South Wales (NSW), the most populous nation that relaxed social distancing rules earlier this month, has again restricted some social interactions as cases have progressed.
On Sunday, NSW reported 18 new infections, the highest in three months. The state's transmission rate is higher than in Victoria.
"People are being urged to avoid unnecessary travel and gatherings," NSW Deputy Health Chief Jeremy McAnulty said in a video statement.
"Of particular concern is transmission in places such as hotels and restaurants, gyms, and social gatherings," he said.
About 60 people in the NSW capital, Sidney, were fined Australian dollars 1,000 per person after attending a party on Saturday, July 18, evening. They violate public health guidelines of no more than 20 visitors to a house.
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