Canberra anti-vaccination protesters told to pack up as deadline looms

Thousands of anti-vax protesters have been given a deadline to move on by Sunday evening – or else police could take action.

A deadline for anti-vaccination protesters to pack up and leave Canberra is looming, with ACT Police giving the group until Sunday to move on. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Jeremy Piper

A deadline for anti-vaccination protesters to pack up and leave Canberra is looming, with ACT Police giving the group until Sunday evening to move on.

Up to 10,000 protesters descended on Parliament House on Saturday as part of the ‘Convoy to Canberra’ protests against vaccine mandates.

Many of the group have been staying at the Exhibition Park in Canberra (EPIC) in the capital’s north after being evicted from their previous illegal campsite across from the National Library in the parliamentary triangle.

ACT Police have told campers at EPIC showgrounds to move on. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Martin Ollman

But the situation will come to a head within hours, with ACT Police saying anyone without a booking will have to move on so preparations for the Royal Canberra Show can begin.

“The venue must be clear of people and equipment for this work to occur safely,” the police force said in a statement.

There is no specific time for the demonstrators to leave but authorities insist the campsite will need to be vacated on Sunday.

“ACT Policing is working with EPIC management today to notify campers that they will need to vacate the site by the end of the weekend,” the statement read.

AFP set up underneath Parliament House while demonstrators against Covid-19 mandates protest above. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Martin Ollman

“People who remain in EPIC after this time may be considered trespassing.”

Officers also said there was a false rumour circulating that claimed protesters had until Tuesday to leave.

ACT Policing is aware of social media posts circulating about campers being permitted to stay at Exhibition Park in Canberra (EPIC) until Tuesday. This information is incorrect.
Campers currently staying at EPIC must leave the facility by today. pic.twitter.com/Q9kLGtlXg2

— ACT Policing (@ACTPolicing) February 13, 2022

Police have said the demonstrators had been well behaved overnight, with no arrests taking place at EPIC following Saturday’s march.

One man was arrested on Saturday after he breached a fence and ran onto the forecourt area, with police quickly tackling him to the ground.

Two other people were also arrested during the protest, police revealed.

ACT Health reported 458 new cases and no deaths on Sunday.

There are 50 cases in hospital, with four in ICU including two on ventilators.

In total, 31 people have died with the virus in the ACT during the pandemic.