By Alesha Capone
People selling non-essential items on the internet and social media, who request buyers collect the objects in person, have been urged to exercise caution during the state’s stage 4 lockdown.
In the past two weeks, Star Weekly has been contacted by residents concerned after seeing non-essential items for sale online, such as garden implements and household decorations, on “Buy Swap Sell” pages, with vendors asking for buyers to pick up their purchases.
A Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) spokesperson said: “There are only four reasons to leave home: for food and essential supplies, medical care and caregiving, exercise and work or study, if you can’t work or study from home.
“In stage 4 restrictions the reasons you can leave home remain, but further limitations are now in place for shopping for food or other essential items, exercise and permitted work.”
During stage 4 restrictions, people can pick up necessary online shopping from collection points. This is considered shopping, and can only occur once per day.
People must wear a face covering when picking up essential goods unless they have a lawful reason for not wearing one.
When making online purchases, people can travel up to five kilometres from home to collect the necessary goods and services.
The DHHS recommends postponing purchases that will require people to travel beyond five kilometres.
It is also recommended that people limit exchanges with people they would not normally have interactions with, and that they consider any possible transmission risk this activity could involve.
Anyone caught breaching the chief health officer’s directions may be issued with a fine.
