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The Pastoral Hotel in Echuca is defying lockdown orders and police action by keeping its doors open to customers.
“We’ve opened up as of Monday,” publican Trevor Andrews said.

“We’ve had people in the bar all yesterday, had some people in the bistro.”

Customers have been warned to come in at their own risk, despite police coming in and handing Andrews an official notice.

“Police came in yesterday and gave me a notice saying these people aren’t meant to be here,” Mr Andrews said.

“I believe they’re going to get a fine.”

Pub goers believe it’s not fair they’re going to be fined.

“I think it’s like $1600, but no one here can afford that,” customer Scott said.

“We could be breaking actual laws like home-invading … this is a human right,” another pubgoer said.

Andrews is committed to keeping his pub open as there are bills he needs to pay and he’s been financially crippled by the lockdowns.

“We’re COVID-safe, and we’ve been that way since day one … we should be allowed to open.”

“Our bills here … you’re looking at a $3000 a month power bill, a $1000 a month gas bill, let alone the insurance, wages and everything else,” Mr Andrews said.

“The ultimate thing is they can probably end up taking my licence away,” Mr Andrews said.

“And then I’ve got no pub – the beer but no pub – but there’s ways around those things too.”

Victoria Police told Nine News that they won’t be commenting on the incident.

This article originally appeared on Over60.