Victoria Police protected from coronavirus under breath test change

Victoria Police will conduct Preliminary Breath Testing via mobile units in order to protect officers from coronavirus.

The decision announced today comes after intense scrutiny from The Police Association Victoria, where the union claimed more safety measures were needed to ensure the health and wellbeing of police officers.

Victorian Police Chief Commissioner Graham Ashton said booze buses used for alcohol and drug testing would be replaced with mobile police vehicles due to contamination fears.

"This is just a different way of delivering the PBT's," he said.

"We intend to continue doing that because that's our responsibility and commitment."

Secretary of The Police Association Victoria, Wayne Gatt said the union was "pleased" with the change of conduct.

"It is important in a situation like this that many things need to change to meet the challenges we are confronted with," Mr Gatt said.

"Our members will ensure that our roads remain safe, and these changes will mean that when doing that, they are safer too."

Police Minister Lisa Neville said the new police powers following the self-isolation sanction declared on Sunday, would allow officers to arrest and detain those would did not comply with the 14-day isolation requirements.

"We don't want Victoria Police to be in position where they are knocking on people's doors, arresting or detaining people," she said.

"But if we do need to use the powers, the powers exist."