Stay COVID safe this Melbourne Cup

ACT Policing is reminding Canberrans to stay COVID safe and plan ahead while celebrating the Melbourne Cup (Tuesday, 3 November 2020).

Melbourne Cup Day is a day for fun and frivolity; however, police want people to enjoy themselves responsibly and keep social distancing in mind.

ACT Policing will be targeting antisocial behaviour as well as drink and drug driving on Tuesday afternoon and into the evening.

Deputy Chief Police Officer Response Michael Chew said police had been generally happy with behaviour over the past couple of years, and wanted to see that continue in 2020.

“If you’re attending a Melbourne Cup party, house party or were one of the lucky few who snared a ticket to Thoroughbred Park, please make sure you know your limits when drinking alcohol and look after your mates,” DCPO Chew said.

“If you are drinking, don’t drive. Catch public transport, use a designated driver, or hop in a taxi or rideshare service.

“Please also be mindful that COVID-19 is still a factor in the community, and maintain social distancing.  ACT Policing will be continuing COVID-19 isolation checks throughout the week.

“If you’re thinking of ‘risking it’, you will get caught.”

ACT Policing conducted 853 COVID-19 quarantine checks in the past week, bringing the total number to more than 16,500 during Canberra’s COVID-19 response.

For further information on the restrictions in place as part of Step 3.2 restrictions, visit the COVID-19 website Changes to restrictions page.

For general enquiries – including to make reports of non-compliance, contact the COVID-19 Helpline on 6207 7244 (8am-8pm, 7 days a week) or online available here. For police assistance call 131 444 and only contact Triple Zero (000) for emergencies.

Media enquiries

Police Media — (02) 5126 9070, act-police-media@afp.gov.au