Highlights
- Victorians can only go out for buying food and essentials, medicines, work, study or daily exercise
- People and businesses now face hefty fines if found breaching these guidelines in Victoria
- Doctors advise playing practice balls instead of playing gully cricket to stem the virus
Victorians and residents of New South Wales are facing some of the toughest social distancing restrictions in the country, which include only leaving the house for food and essential supplies, medication, exercise, work and study if you can't do that from home.
If people breach these directions in Victoria, they face on-the-spot fines of $1,652 for individuals and $9,913 for businesses. Larger fines can also be issued through the courts.
While in NSW, individuals breaching the orders can face fines of up to $11,000 or six months in prison.
Venturing out for daily exercise is still a valid excuse under the new guidelines. For Melbourne-based Roshan Mongra, cricket is the only form of exercise he understands.
But with playgrounds, public exercise equipment, parks, gyms and fitness centres now closed in the state, the 23-year-old cricket lover is wondering if he could round up a few mates, maintain social distancing while playing in an empty space next to his house in the western suburb of Werribee and still be following the rules?
"I am wondering if gully cricket with five or six people, each standing 1.5m apart would count as exercise," asked Mr Mongra.
The answer is no, as per the state government’s ‘stay at home’ directions, which have been reiterated by Cricket Australia, the national governing body of cricket in the country.
Man wearing cricket gear. (Representational image). Source: Getty Images
“Australian Cricket is recommending that all organised community matches, training, programs and events remain suspended until at least May 31, 2020,” said Belinda Clark, Executive General Manager Community Cricket, in a statement on Cricket Australia’s website.
She further added that while some may be disappointed with this decision, “but in line with the broader community effort to ‘flatten the curve’, it is the right thing to do.”
But while outdoor playgrounds closed, you can still go out alone or
Simarpreet Singh, a real estate agent based in Melbourne claims he has come across a video on social media of four people apparently being “cautioned by police officers wearing masks for playing cricket during the lockdown.”
He, however, clarified that he does not know the source of the video.
“It seems like a recent incident, but I cannot validate the source of the video,” said Mr Singh.
When contacted by SBS Punjabi regarding the alleged incident, Victoria Police declined to comment on individual spot checks or reports of people breaching self-isolation.
Man playing cricket (Representational image). Source: Getty Images/Sergio Amiti
However, said a reply stated that “Victoria Police has conducted a number of spot checks to ensure people are self-isolating where directed to, and we will continue to do this if required or under the advice of the Chief Health Officer.”
“Police will also conduct random spot checks where necessary.”
According to the latest information, Victoria Police have conducted a total of 12,541 spot checks at homes, businesses and non-essential services across the state, as part of its Operation Sentinel, a dedicated operation to enforce containment measures put in place to combat the spread of Coronavirus.
As of 8 am, on April 4, the police have issued a total of 57 fines.
Melbourne-based Dr Sandeep Bhagat, the Director of Palliative Care at Peninsula Health said while he understands that some community members want to keep playing sports, like cricket in these unprecedented times, they should, however, be aware of their social responsibility.
Cricket in the time of coronavirus. Source: AAP Image/AP Photo/Mahesh Kumar A.
“First of all, you can’t play community or gully cricket as per the guidelines. And even you want to play or throw a ball in a public space with members of your household, you must be constantly aware of your social responsibility.
“Now imagine if you are playing with your family in the backyard, and someone spots you, it might inadvertently trigger a ripple effect and others may get a cue and start playing as well. So everyone, needs to play a part, stay indoors to stem the outbreak,” said Dr Bhagat.
He added that for gym lovers and sports mongers, there are many other ways to stay in the game during a pandemic.
“For instance, practice indoor exercises, try standing on one leg. It is great for bone health. Throw a few practice balls rather than calling your friends to play in a team to minimise transmission risk.
“Because no matter how hard you try to maintains social distancing while playing sports like cricket, you are still touching the bat, ball or your protective gear, which might be exposed to infection,” added Dr Bhagat.
Coronavirus symptoms can range from mild illness to pneumonia, according to the Federal Government's website. Symptoms can include a fever, coughing, sore throat, fatigue and shortness of breath.
If you develop symptoms within 14 days of returning from overseas, you should call to seek medical attention.
If you don’t have symptoms but you have been in contact with a confirmed COVID-19 case, you should also call to seek medical attention.
If you believe you may need to get tested, call your doctor, don’t visit. Or contact the national Coronavirus Health Information Hotline on 1800 020 080.
If you are struggling to breathe or experiencing a medical emergency, call 000.
