Covid-19 protest: Vinnies Box Hill offices targeted over op-shop vaccine mandate

Charity workers have been trapped inside their Box Hill office and police called in as protesters complain against the vaccine mandate.

Protesters angry over St Vincent de Paul's op shop vaccine mandate in Box Hill on December 9. Picture: Screenshot from Cafe Locked Out Facebook live stream.

Charity workers have been locked inside their offices after protesters began taunting them over a vaccine mandate on access to op-shops.

About 20 protesters gathered outside St Vincent de Paul’s offices on Prospect St, Box Hill, about 9.30am on Thursday.

A live stream of the protest, shared on the Cafe Locked Out Facebook page, showed four police officers standing outside the front doors of the building.

A staff memo, seen by Leader, said the group was “protesting against the vaccine mandate in the Vinnies shops”.

It told workers who were not already at the Box Hill office to stay away until further notice to ensure their safety.

The protest continued for about half an hour before the protesters dispersed.

A Victoria Police spokeswoman said there were “no issues or arrests”.

One man was spotted holding a sign saying: “Op Shops are essential services, Jesus would not segregate.”

The charity said when their shops reopened following the easing of Covid-19 lockdown restrictions on October 29 that customers would “not immediately be required to provide information on their vaccination status.

“Vinnies Shops will adhere to government regulations thereafter and will outline entry requirements on appropriate signage,” it said.

“We expect our customers will kindly follow all necessary regulations, and thank them for their understanding.”

The protest comes a week after an anti-vaxxer smeared human feaces across the front entrance of Frankston’s Vinnies store.

It is believed the incident occurred after a customer was denied entry for not being able to show their vaccination status.

The charity has been contacted for comment.