Coronavirus: Melbourne university investigating reports of crowded party
A Melbourne university is investigating after online video appeared to show a group of partying students in direct breach of the city’s Stage 4 restrictions over the weekend.
The short video of several people partying inside a dark room believed to be at La Trobe University’s Bundoora campus was briefly uploaded online before the user pulled the clip, Nine News reported.
At least eight people can be seen dancing in the room which is understood to be student accomodation.
Social distancing appears to be non-existent and there are no face masks being worn by attendees.
While the video’s time and location are yet to be verified, the university said in a statement it is “concerned” over its emergence.
“The university is concerned to receive footage which appears to show the public health requirements have not been met,” the statement read.
“We would be very disappointed if this alleged incident did occur as we have made it very clear to residents that they must comply with public health requirements and with the university’s clear rules of residence.”
The university also said it had received reports of a party on Saturday night however, security were unable to locate a gathering.
“If any resident has been found to have broken the rules of residence, which includes complying with health directives, the university will take action.”
While Victoria Police said they do not comment on individual alleged breaches, they called for Victorians to adhere to the restrictions which are in place.
“For the sake of the health and safety of every Victorian, we need people to follow the Chief Health Officer directives and will not hesitate to issue fines to those who choose to selfishly and blatantly show a disregard for community safety,” they told Yahoo News Australia.
On Sunday, Victoria recorded 208 new coronavirus cases after recording two consecutive days below 200 for the first time since July 9.
Victoria Police confirmed a further 199 fines had been issued in the previous 24 hours for breaches of restrictions.
Young people nearly quarter of all Victorian coronavirus cases
Authorities are desperate to clamp down on young people who so far have been the driving force behind Victoria’s second wave.
Of Victoria’s 18,231 cases so far, 4,229 have been people aged between 20 and 29 – nearly one quarter of all cases.
Premier Daniel Andrews has repeatedly called on young Melburnians to “do the right thing”, stressing they are not immune to COVID-19 and that it can cause serious illness to themselves or loved ones.
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Leading epidemiologist Professor Mary-Louise McLaws from the UNSW told Yahoo News Australia Melbourne’s 8pm to 5am curfew directly targeted young people.
“The curfew was brilliant because [young people] are a highly mobile, social group,” she told Yahoo News Australia.
“But they’re also underemployed and working across several workplaces and probably do go out to socialise.”
“They’ve got a lot of friends, a lot of connections and that increases the transmission.”
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