Update: A previous version of this article implied the child’s party attendees were fined $25,000. Those fines were issued at a different party on the same day, and the article has been amended for clarity.
The host of an eight-year-old’s birthday party in Melbourne have been slapped with a $1,652 fine for gathering in breach of the Victoria’s tough lockdown restrictions.
Victoria Police were tipped-off by concerned neighbours on Sunday, who sent in a photograph in which at least 21 people can be seen, including many young children.
Officers visited the Beaumaris property as the party wrapped up, where they then issued the fine.
Victoria is currently under Stage 3 lockdown restrictions, which make it illegal to visit the homes of friends for non-essential purposes.
A Bayside family will be fined after they held a birthday bash for their 8-year-old boy this morning. The homeowner denies having a “party” but a passerby snapped this pic… @VictoriaPolice officers paid them a visit shortly after. More in @9NewsMelb tonight pic.twitter.com/uuzHzvPzq1
— Sam Cucchiara (@SamCucchiara9) April 19, 2020
Gatherings of more than two people are also illegal under lockdown restrictions, regardless of whether they are indoors or outdoors.
Anyone caught breaking these rules can be slapped with on-the-spot fines.
A total of 91 fines were handed out in Victoria on Sunday. Aside from the birthday party, police also broke up a basketball match in Yarraville.
At a separate party in Bentleigh East, police issued 15 attendees of a house party with on-the-spot fines totalling almost $25,000.
Many on social slammed the families involved for being so goddamn reckless.
Siri show me what “entitled’ looks like
— Nial Finegan (@NialFinegan) April 19, 2020
I think all the families involved in this party should be fined. Who in their right mind would risk holding an 8th party or allo their child to attend it when these fines are being enforced?? The whole lot of them are stupid.
— Candy & Sparky World (@CandySparky) April 19, 2020
Wow. Have spent the last 3 weeks work to home. We have between us 6 children that we have chosen not to see. 90 year old parents we talk to from 6 ft apart on the one visit a week we drop off their food. Hope you had a great party. #selfishasf
— Duncan Smith (@dsmithscapes) April 19, 2020
The consensus seems to be that allowing kids to flout social distancing recommendations is irresponsible as fuck.
Adults braving fines and risking catching the virus among themselves is one thing, but potentially exposing kids to the disease for the sake of a birthday party is dangerous.
Stay the fuck home, and keep your kids home too.
