Covid protesters being warned to stay home as organisations vow to press ahead
Anti-mandate protesters have vowed to continue protesting on Saturday, despite the Police Commissioner offering a stern warning for the unvaccinated.
Northern Territory
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UNVACCINATED protesters are being urged to stay home or risk a police response on Saturday.
The NT News has seen posts from Free in the NT vowing to continue protesting against the NT government’s vaccination mandate, saying they “need to hold the line”.
Speakers at previous rallies have spruiked anti-vaccination messages and expressed scepticism around the severity of Covid-19 without evidence.
Despite large amounts of scientific evidence concluding Covid-19 vaccines are safe, protest speakers have claimed the jabs are untested and dangerous.
Under the current lockout in Darwin, unvaccinated or partially vaccinated people are unable to leave their home except for one of five essential reasons.
Protesting is not considered an essential reason to leave a household.
Fully vaccinated Territorians are allowed to go about their business as per usual, but must wear a mask.
Police Commissioner Jamie Chalker on Thursday night warned authorities would only tolerate noncompliance with lockout laws for so long.
“If people continue to act without compliance, then we will be forced into a position where (arrests) may have to be done,” Mr Chalker said.
“If they are unvaccinated, if they’re not willing to demonstrate what the five reasons are, and they’re not going to be sound and reasonable, then they may force us into action.”
Darwin has been placed into a 72-hour lockout after a mystery case of Covid-19 was discovered in Katherine. The man spent time in Darwin, including at Monsoons on Mitchell St.
Health authorities were alarmed by the positive result, given the man had not travelled outside of the Territory for a significant period of time.
It’s led the government to conclude he likely picked up the virus in the Territory, and are treating the infection as community transmission.
Chief Minister Michael Gunner urged Territorians to book their vaccination appointments immediately if they were yet to get the jab.
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