Protests in Melbourne as virus fears halt construction

Hundreds of demonstrators took to the streets of the Australian city, which is currently in lockdown, after authorities said the frequent movement of workers was spreading the coronavirus in regional areas.

The decision to close down building sites comes after an anti-vaccine mandate protest in Melbourne a day previously turned violent.

The Victorian government requires all construction workers to have at least one vaccine doses by the end of this week.

The forced closures of construction sites will worsen the country's economic activity with some economists predicting the extended lockdowns may push Australia's A$2 trillion ($1.45 trillion) economy into a second recession in as many years.