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Regional Victorian businesses that fail to check customers are not from metropolitan Melbourne could face fines of up to $9,913 under laws that came into force overnight.
The onus will now be placed on businesses to check customers' drivers' licenses or Keypass IDs, although they won't be fined if they do the right thing and are misled by someone intent on breaking the rules.
Previously these businesses, which unlike those in Melbourne are allowed to be open, have only had to check the addresses of customers when taking bookings.
Melburnians who are found in regional Victoria without a valid reason face fines of up to $4,957.
"We know regional businesses are doing everything they can to keep their community safe and now we're giving them the confidence to check that their customers are not breaking Chief Health Officer directions," Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews said.
The State Government is also upping the ante on testing, and will require new tests from close contacts of COVID-19 patients who are in their 11th day of quarantine.
The Department of Health and Human Services will be in touch with these contacts, and those who refuse to take a coronavirus test will have to go into quarantine for a total of 24 days from their last exposure to the virus.
People working in targeted industries who undertake surveillance testing are not required to isolate, unless they are feeling unwell or have been directed to quarantine or isolate by the Department.
"Testing close contacts on day 11 of quarantine is one of a number of important measures we're taking to limit the spread of coronavirus in Victoria and reduce the risk of further outbreaks," Premier Andrews said.
"We know this has been a challenging time for Victorians but we're so close to beating this thing. Extra testing and Victorians continuing to follow the rules will get us to the other side," added Minister for Health Martin Foley.
Updated at 10:30am AEST on 12 October.
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