Victoria records 65 new coronavirus cases a day after 4,000 protesters stormed the streets and regional towns were forced back into lockdown
Victoria has recorded 65 new cases of coronavirus after an anti-lockdown rally was attended by 4000 protestors and regional areas were forced back into lockdown.
The new cases come from 44,147 tests with the state administering 26,149 vaccine doses in the past 24 hours to midnight.
The worrying surge in cases comes after 4000 protestors attended an anti-lockdown protest in Melbourne, with copycat events seen in Sydney, Brisbane and Cairns.
The largest of the three ‘freedom’ rallies in Melbourne started on the corner of Elizabeth and Bourke street in the CBD on Saturday morning and escalated during the afternoon despite Premier Dan Andrews saying the state is on the verge of a Covid catastrophe.
The Melbourne protests continued for several hours and at times the emboldened protesters appeared to outnumber police, breaking through police barricades.
By late afternoon seven officers had been injured with six hospitalised – including two with suspected broken noses, one with a broken thumb and the others with concussions – and 218 protesters arrested.
Police issued 236 fines of at least $5,452 for breaching the CHO directions, and have three people in custody for assaulting police.
‘While there were some peaceful protestors in attendance, the majority of those who attended came with violence in mind,’ Victoria Police said in response to claims pepper ball rounds and OC foam canisters were fired at demonstrators.
‘The behaviour seen by police was so hostile and aggressive that they were left with no choice but to use all tactics available to them.’
Victorian health authorities are now fearing the state is on course to enter the same endless cycle of lockdowns currently being experienced in NSW.
The state recorded 77 new cases on Saturday before the protests even began, with Premier Daniel Andrews announcing the capital city’s lockdown would be extended to include the entire state.
Regional Victoria’s restrictions are the same as for those in Melbourne minus the curfew that requires those in the capital to not leave their home between 9pm and 5am.
Construction has also been limited to 25 per cent capacity statewide to be inline with Melbourne.
More to come.
Advertisement