Victoria records 21 new cases as police arrest dozens of anti-lockdown protesters
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Victoria has recorded 21 new local coronavirus cases on Thursday as police arrested more than 70 people for protesting Melbourne’s extended COVID-19 lockdown in the city’s CBD.
Only 17 of the new cases have been linked to previously reported cases and six people had been in the community throughout their infectious period.
More than 45,000 Victorians were tested on Wednesday and more than 25,000 were vaccinated.
The daily coronavirus case numbers come as Victoria Police arrested 73 people for protesting the city’s COVID-19 lockdown, despite the poor showing on Wednesday.
Police and protesters on Wednesday.Credit:Joe Armao
Police said the protesters were arrested for, among other offences, breaching Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton’s directions.
In a statement, Victoria Police said officers will not hesitate to issue infringement notices for those “who deliberately and blatantly breach” public health orders.
Police at Flinders Street Station on Wednesday evening.Credit:Joe Armao
Melbourne’s stay-at-home orders will remain in place until at least Thursday.
Exposure list nears 350
The number of exposure sites in Victoria has surged past 300 locations and now includes a number of tram and bus routes as well as Qantas flight QF471 from Sydney to Melbourne on August 9.
A furniture store in Melbourne’s southeast and a medical centre in the city’s north-west are among the new tier-1 exposure sites added overnight.
Secret Sofa on Warrigal Road, Cheltenham, is listed as a tier-1 site for August 5 from 11.45am to 12.45pm. The Quality Care Specialist Medical on Mephan Street, Maribyrnong, is also listed as a tier-1 site for the same day from 2pm to 9pm.
Anyone who attended a tier-one site at the stated times needs to seek a COVID-19 test and quarantine for 14 days.
Several children’s medical facilities in Parkville have also been added to the list.
A playground in Glenroy was added late on Wednesday and there are also new sites in Maribyrnong, Melton, Reservoir and Fawkner.
More to come
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