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Victoria has reported 11 more deaths from Covid-19 and 76 additional diagnoses as authorities fight anti-lockdown demonstrations across the state.
Statistics on Saturday bring the death toll in the state to 661 and the national count to 748.
Police are urging people to adhere to restrictions on community movement, as some groups present plans for demonstrations to protest against the measures.
Police have arrested unmasked protesters against the blockade during violent fights in Melbourne.
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Four men have been arrested and charged with inciting the Freedom Day rally planned for various locations in inner Melbourne, including the Shrine of Remembrance.
Darrian Traynor / Getty Images
Melbourne Police are urging people to adhere to the restrictions on community movement, as some groups come up with plans for protests against the measures.
Officers were beaten by a man at the scene on Saturday before putting on a mask and handcuffs.
A pregnant woman from Ballarat also faces the same charge for a rally planned for the regional city.
The woman posted a video of herself handcuffed Wednesday and it went viral.
Police also warned about 80 people not to attend the Melbourne rallies as they enforce Victoria’s lockdown rules.
“The tinfoil hat brigade is alive and well in our community,” said Victoria’s Assistant Commissioner Luke Cornelius.
“They take every opportunity to take advantage of the current situation to serve up their own ridiculous notions about so-called ‘sovereign citizens’, about constitutional issues, and about how 5G is going to kill their grandchildren.”
On Friday, Victoria’s Prime Minister Daniel Andrews backed police efforts to shut down any planned protest rallies while upholding lockdown rules.
Darrian Traynor / Getty Images
On Friday, Victoria’s Prime Minister Daniel Andrews backed police efforts to shut down any planned protest rallies while upholding lockdown rules.
“You can’t just ignore the reality that you find yourself in and give yourself permission and go and do something that will, in all likelihood, contribute to the spread of this (virus),” he said.
The premiere is Sunday to announce how and when Melbourne and regional Victoria will emerge from respective stages four and three.
News of the arrests did not reach the press conference, but Andrews sent a general message to those protesting.
“It’s not smart, it’s not safe, it’s not lawful, in fact it’s absolutely selfish to be out there protesting,” he said.
“The only fight we should be participating in is against this virus.”
