Hundreds of protesters in Melbourne flout COVID-19 rules to express their ‘right to freedom’

Hundreds of people have taken to the streets in Melbourne’s southeast protesting against COVID-19 restrictions.

Hundreds of people in Melbourne’s southeast have rallied for their “right to freedom” against the state’s stage-4 COVID-19 restrictions.

The protesters faced off with police who attempted to deal with the crowd in Dandenong.

There are reports police threatened to use pepper spray as protesters marched along Kirkham Rd just after 5pm.

According to 7NEWS, many protesters said they “don’t believe COVID-19 is real” and a number of arrests were made after protesters allegedly antagonised and refused to cooperate with police.

It comes as the state recorded 149 new infections on Wednesday.

Police threatened to use pepper spray in a tense stand-off with anti-lockdown protesters in Dandenong. Officers clashed with a group of about 100 people who marched along Kirkham Rd about 5.20pm. Picture: Jason Edwards

Under the stage 4 restrictions, people cannot travel more than 5km from their home and can only leave for work, shopping or caring for another.

They are also allowed one hour for exercise each day while a curfew in place between 8pm and 5am.

Victoria’s Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton said he believed the number of new infections would continue on its downward trend.

On Tuesday night, a similar anti-mask protest occurred in the area.

The Public Order Response Team was also called to suburban streets on Monday.

A man, believed to be the protest organiser, was charged with incitement while another 11 people were fined $1652.