A couple has sparked a heated debate revolving around the new rules related to social distancing and the coronavirus pandemic safety measures after holding a wedding involving over 30 guests.
The wedding that undermined government orders which dictate that only five people, including the bride, groom, witnesses, and a celebrant, may attend a wedding during a lockdown, took place in Melbourne, Australia, on Sunday.
According to the reports, the police were called to the scene but allowed the wedding to go through as planned while instructing attendees to stay several feet apart from each other throughout the event.
“The cops came and did nothing. They let us continue in groups of five and 1.5 meters apart,” one wedding guest allegedly said.
After the story went viral, some people expressed their fury over the couple and the police for allowing the social gathering to go through as planned despite the current situation.
Previously, on March 24, Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced that the number of people who are allowed to attend weddings during the pandemic is restricted to five.
“Victoria Police will not provide a running commentary on individual spot checks, reports of people breaching self-isolation or breaches of mass gatherings,” the spokesperson for the police said after the incident went viral.
“However, we have seen the vast majority of the community treat this issue with the seriousness it deserves up until this point.”
Shortly after the wedding, a new set of rules that prohibit all types of public gatherings consisting of more than two people was imposed.
In addition, all unnecessary social interactions in the state of Victoria are deemed to be banned. “You cannot visit your partner for social reasons,” Victorian Police Minister Lisa Neville confirmed.
Backing up this claim is also Premier Daniel Andrews’ statement in which he said people shouldn’t resort to social visits during the lockdown.
“That’s not work, that’s not care-giving, that’s not medical care, that’s not shopping for the things you need when you need them, and it does not comply with the rules. People should not do that,” he said.
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Replaced!