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'Deplorable' footage of Melburnians gathered 'hours before new curfew'

Large crowds of people have been filmed appearing to ignore social distancing rules along Melbourne’s iconic St Kilda Beach reportedly just hours before the city enters stage four coronavirus restrictions.

Former Australian Idol contestant Anthony Callea shared the video of dozens of people - many wearing masks - walking in Middle Park on Facebook on Sunday.

“Really Melbourne? Are you f***ing kidding me?” Callea wrote, adding that he did not film the footage.

“Selfish, ignorant and deplorable behaviour! D***heads! Clearly the message and how it’s delivered it NOT WORKING!” Callea added.

The musician described the crowd as “self entitled”.

Large crowds of people are seen near St Kilda beach
Former Australian Idol contestant Anthony Callea shared the video of dozens of people walking in Middle Park on Facebook on Sunday. Source: Facebook

“To everyone doing the right thing, as a fellow Victorian…Thank you,” he wrote.

Although it has not been confirmed when the video was filmed, comments online suggest it was taken on Sunday and uploaded shortly after Premiere Daniel Andrews declared a state of disaster across Victoria and announced stage four restrictions in metro Melbourne from 8pm Sunday until September 13.

Regional areas are now in stage three restrictions.

The announcement came after the state recorded 671 new cases on Sunday.

"I'm not prepared to accept that or accept days and days and days of hundreds of cases and more and more death," Mr Andrews said.

"If we don't make these changes, we're not going to get through this. We need to do more," he added.

‘Get a clue, people!’

Thousands of frustrated Facebook users responded to Callea’s post.

“And that right there is exactly WHY the situation isn’t improving. Get a clue, people! For goodness sake,” one person said.

“Come on Vic's pull your heads in and make it happen. No need for blaming just do the right thing. No one is invincible!” another person wrote.

“Horrendous! The lack of care astounds me!” ones user commented.

Anthony Callea's Facebook post
Thousands of frustrated Facebook users responded to Callea’s post. Source: Facebook

From 8pm Sunday, residents in Metropolitan Melbourne will be enter an 8pm to 5am curfew, with some exemptions for those providing care and travelling to and from work.

Anyone caught breaking the new rules will be handed a $1,652 on-the-spot fine.

"The time for discretion, the time for accepting some of this bad behaviour is over," Mr Andrews said.

with AAP

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