By Martin Cole-
Australians are fed up of stringent lockdown rules, as anti-lockdown protesters took the streets in their hundreds nationwide.
In Melbourne, hundreds marched in protests against strict lockdown measures that have been in place for a month.
Additional protests took place in Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth.
On Friday PM Scott Morrison said seven of the country’s eight states and territories had agreed to open their internal borders by December.
Scuffles broke out between protesters and police at the event, leading to several arrests. In Melbourne protesters chanted “freedom” and “human rights matter” amid a heavy police presence.
Residents of Victoria have endured a six-week lockdown since July to control the spread of the virus, as the city accounts for 75% of Australia’s total infections and 90% of all deaths.
Rules
The rules prohibit people from leaving their house unless they are at risk of family violence or to apply for an intervention order, and to attend court or a police station.
Shopping for food and necessary supplies must be within 5km distance from your home, except if the nearest supermarket is further than 5km, and only one person per household can leave to go shopping per day.
Exercise must take place within 5km of home, and must be in metropolitan Melbourne. Exercise is limited to one hour, once per day.
Exercise can only happen within 5km of home, and must be in metropolitan Melbourne. Exercise is limited to one hour, once per day.
As of 19 August, you are allowed to drive to a location in order to exercise there, but your destination must be within 5kms of your home and must be the closest practicable location.
Time spent driving to and from a location is included in the one-hour time limit and all exercise can only take place with one other person, including members of your household.
Mandatory Mask Wearing
It has been mandatory for people in metropolitan Melbourne and the Mitchell shire to wear face coverings in public since midnight on Wednesday 22 July. That rule was extended to the entire state from midnight Sunday 2 August.
People with a medical reason are exempt, as are children younger than 12. Those who have a professional reason are also exempt and “if it’s just not practical, like when running”, but those people will still be expected to carry a face covering at all times “to wear when you can”.
It is also mandatory for teachers and students need to wear a mask on the way to and from school.