Late-night KFC dashes, hiding in cupboards, house parties, and playing Pokemon Go in 2020 -- these are some of the activities prompting fines as Victorian police enforce the stage three lockdown.
The Victoria Police Deputy Police Commissioner Rick Nugent said in a press conference on Wednesday that the police have checked over 85,000 vehicles and administered 151 fines at various police checkpoints in Metropolitan Melbourne and Mitchell Shire.
"The most common reason is going to visit family and friends or associates for overnight stays," Nugent said at the press conference today.
The fines, numbering at over 100, that have been laid out since last Wednesday's announcement of the stage three restrictions aren't the only fines that have been issued.
Nugent said there were 351 fines for people not abiding by the 'Stay At Home' restrictions that only allow for exercise, essential shopping, work or study, and receiving medical care.
"Clearly KFC is popular during the lockdown. A person attended a restaurant and sat down with their food and refused to leave. Police were called and the person still refused to leave until they had finished their meal," he said.
Fines have been issued for people refusing to leave KFC, gathering for house parties, and something no-one expected in 2020: police stopped a car where two men admitted they were out to play Pokemon Go, and trying to catch them all.
"The restrictions for leaving your home are well known. I can say it does not include playing Pokémon," Nugent said.
And once caught some people have opted to play their own little version of hide-and-go-seek.
Nugent isn't impressed, he said, "We are finding people in cupboards, we are finding people in garages. Please stop."
Melbourne isn't alone in breaching restrictions. In Sydney, the donut chain Krispy Kreme ran a promotional scheme that went awry when scores of people attended the franchises across New South Wales on Monday.
The promotion offered twelve free donuts for anyone who had a birthday between March and July.
The NSW Police Acting Assistant Commissioner Tony Cooke in a statement called the scheme "nonsensical and defies logic" because of concerns surrounding social distancing.
"We have people in NSW who have lost jobs, people who have missed the opportunity to farewell their loved ones at funerals, and of course, people who have lost their lives due to COVID-19," Cooke said.
Prior to the rush on Monday morning Krispy Kreme sent out a message on their Facebook page detailing the importance of celebrating safely.
"All government guidelines must be followed and customers will be required to comply with social-distancing rules at all times," the Facebook post read.
Residents in metropolitan Melbourne are subject to stay-at-home orders and can only leave home for essential work, study, exercise or care responsibilities. People are also advised to wear masks in public.
People in Australia must stay at least 1.5 metres away from others. Check your state’s restrictions on gathering limits.
If you are experiencing cold or flu symptoms, stay home and arrange a test by calling your doctor or contact the Coronavirus Health Information Hotline on 1800 020 080. News and information is available in 63 languages at
