More protests planned for Melbourne prompt virus fears - The Age

Organisers are vowing to go ahead with the protests, despite threats of "massive fines from police".

"As a global wave of protest spreads against racism and police impunity, it is outrageous that Preston police are threatening refugee supporters with their own peculiar interpretation of health regulations," said Chris Breen from RAC.

Thousands marched the streets of Melbourne to protest Indigenous deaths in custody and to stand in solidarity with George Floyd.Credit:Chris Hopkins

Another spokeswoman, Meg Hill, said Preston police have told the group that if more than 20 people congregate outside the Mantra Bell City Hotel they will be fined.

"This is a politically biased interpretation of the health laws and an infringement on the right to protest," Ms Hill said.

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Simultaneous protests are planned for Perth and Brisbane on Saturday, while a Sydney rally has been banned by the NSW Supreme Court.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison is urging authorities to arrest and charge people who attend any future protests.

The Melbourne protester who tested positive did not have the COVIDSafe tracing app on their mobile phone, Victoria's Deputy Chief Health Officer, Dr Annaliese van Diemen, has revealed.

"It would have been useful, certainly," Dr van Diemen said.

Health Minister Jenny Mikakos refused calls to release the identity or a photo of the infected protester, saying it would breach the Health Records Act and the government does not want to discourage people coming forward to get tested.

But she said now was "not the time for political protest".

"It is incredibly irresponsible to be having a protest at this time," she said.

Four new COVID-19 cases were confirmed in Victoria overnight, including two travellers in hotel quarantine. One case was detected through routine testing, while the other is under investigation.

Meanwhile, Australian Medical Association president Dr Tony Bartone has urged everyone who attended last weekend's protests to self-isolate for two weeks "in the spirit of the abundance of caution".

"Especially if you work with people who are vulnerable, or live with people who are vulnerable," he said.

Victorian health authorities have stopped short of issuing blanket advice to all rally attendees to get tested for the coronavirus, unless they start having symptoms.

Dr Bartone said self-isolation was more important for those who are currently showing no symptoms, due to the long incubation period of the virus. He said getting a test "would only give you comfort for that point in time".

Dr Bartone said rally attendees should not be complacent about the health risk just because the protester was wearing a mask.

He said masks were considered compromised after four hours of use, and if they were taken off or exposed the nose. "You've got to wear it properly and know how to use it," he said.

Dr Bartone also dismissed calls to identify the infected Melbourne protester by releasing his photo.

"We're not here to vilify anyone in particular, what's more important is that people understand the risks of attending these protests," he said.

Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton has lashed out at the "selfish" protesters.

"I think there's a level of complacency in Australian society at the moment and these protesters are demonstrating it quite selfishly," he said.

Opposition Leader Michael O'Brien said it was irresponsible for protesters to return to work without being tested first.

"I think it's irresponsible for people to have turned up to work until they can be cleared of coronavirus," Mr O'Brien said.

"People shouldn't be putting their own interests ahead of the interests of the broader community. I hope that people who did attend the rally do go and get themselves checked."

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https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMid2h0dHBzOi8vd3d3LnRoZWFnZS5jb20uYXUvbmF0aW9uYWwvdmljdG9yaWEvbW9yZS1wcm90ZXN0cy1wbGFubmVkLWZvci1tZWxib3VybmUtcHJvbXB0LXZpcnVzLWZlYXJzLTIwMjAwNjEyLXA1NTF2MC5odG1s0gF3aHR0cHM6Ly9hbXAudGhlYWdlLmNvbS5hdS9uYXRpb25hbC92aWN0b3JpYS9tb3JlLXByb3Rlc3RzLXBsYW5uZWQtZm9yLW1lbGJvdXJuZS1wcm9tcHQtdmlydXMtZmVhcnMtMjAyMDA2MTItcDU1MXYwLmh0bWw?oc=5

2020-06-12 00:42:04Z
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