Victoria has recorded six new Covid-19 cases hours after hundreds of mask-less protesters protested the state's sixth lockdown by throwing bottles at police during a chaotic rally in Melbourne's CBD.
The state's Department of Health said the new local cases on Friday morning are all linked to previously reported cases but were not self-isolating while infectious with the virus.
Protesters marched on the streets of Australia's second largest city overnight as the state entered its sixth Covid lockdown at 8pm on Thursday.
Footage from the protest earlier showed chaotic scenes with some demonstrators throwing bottles and other projectiles at police as officers deployed pepper spray to disperse the agitated crowd.
Hundreds of furious Victorians, only released from their fifth lockdown nine days ago, were heard chanting 'sack Dan Andrews' as they released flares in the street.
'Outraged' Victoria Police told Daily Mail Australia they made 15 arrests at the protest and will issue 16 others with fines for breaching public health orders, as investigations get underway over the assault of an officer who was allegedly pushed to the ground and stomped on.
It has also been revealed that event organisers may be charged with incitement for their alleged role in whipping up the crowd.
The snap seven-day stay-at-home orders issued by Premier Daniel Andrews came after flurry of new cases and a swath of new exposure sites on Thursday.
State health authorities flagged 14 sites in a late-night drop that included busy shopping centres, supermarkets and two Virgin Airlines flights that an infected passenger travelled on, raising concerns there could be many more cases to come.
Hundreds of anti-lockdown protesters are seen marching through Melbourne's CBD on Thursday night (pictured) furious at the state being plunged into its sixth lockdown
A large ball of fire is captured in the background as chaotic anti-lockdown protests erupted in Melbourne on Thursday night (pictured) with hundreds taking to the streets
Several flares were set off during the demonstration as tensions boiled over with police, who made 15 arrests at the protest
A protester is seen holding a sign that claims the state's lockdown is not about Covid (pictured in Melbourne on Thursday night)
A protester with a megaphone is pictured speaking with police officers during the rally
The frustrated protest group met at Flinders Street Station earlier in the evening chanting conspiracy theory slogans and calling for Premier Dan Andrews to be sacked.
One man was captured on video being taken to the ground by four officers atop the steps of the iconic train station as police warned protesters to 'move away'.
The groups chanted 'freedom' and 'no lockdown' before one of the rally's organisers addressed demonstrators with a megaphone.
'Bring it on Daniel Andrews, we will fight to our last breath,' the woman screamed.
As the crowd got on the move and made their way down the street toward Parliament House, the march started peacefully with several young children and even babies among the swelling rally.
But the mood quickly turned hostile as protesters made their way past police officer lined up on the footpath.
Violent clashes were captured on video with some in the group shouting abuse at officers and calling them 'dogs'.
Police could be seen reaching for their pepper spray canisters and telling to the crowd to 'move away'.
When some in the group continued to move forward, officers fired the non-lethal weapon at various protesters.
Some demonstrators responded by hurling bottles and other projectiles before the hostile group dispersed.
'There are families, there are kids here and a whole mix of people from Melbourne and the police are just indiscriminately spraying pepper spray into the crowd,' a man filming the rally dubiously claimed.
'They are attacking the people who are marching to Parliament House.
'Spraying kids spraying families, these people have lost their jobs.'
Police officer are pictured threatening protestors with pepper spray as tempers flared on Thursday night
Police tell the hostile crowd to 'move away' as they deploy pepper spray on protesters
A bottle or projectile is captured on camera being thrown at police officers as tensions flare
A woman is pictured carrying a baby during the anti-lockdown protest in Melbourne
A demonstrator is taken away in handcuffs after being arrested by police officers during the raucous rally
Police confirmed they made a total of 15 arrests during the 'unlawful' protest with two people slapped in hand cuffs for allegedly breaching bail and stating false names.
A further nine were arrested before their identity could be confirmed to issue fines and four more are expected to be charged in relation to breaching their bail, activating a flare and hindering police.
Officers also issued 16 people with fines for breaching public health orders for offences like exceeding the public gathering limit, failing to wear facemask and travelling 5km from home - which is against the state's new lockdown rules.
Police confirmed that a number of incidents will now form criminal investigations including the the assault of a police officer who was allegedly pushed to the ground and kicked leaving him with 'minor cuts and abrasions'.
Hundreds of protesters swarmed Melbourne (pictured on Thursday night) to protest the new lockdown
A demonstrator with a megaphone is seen being pulled away by a police officer outside Flinders Street Station
Other charges are also expected to the laid over the activation of a flare, and criminal damage to a police vehicle.
'Four of the offenders who were arrested or fined are known to police as protest organisers,' Assistant Commissioner Luke Cornelius said in a statement.
'They have been dealt with previously and it is expected they will be presented to court on appropriate charges, such as incitement.
'Any offenders who are established to be repeat offenders will also face appropriate charges and be placed before the court to prevent their repeat offending.'
Investigators say they're already scouring video footage to identify as many protesters as possible.
'Police are, together with the vast majority of Victorians who are doing the right thing, outraged that a small minority of people continue to engage in deliberate breaches of the CHO Directions, putting the lives and jobs of their fellow Victorians, as well as their police at risk,' Assistant Commissioner Cornelius said.
A demonstrator gives gestures toward police during the anti-lockdown march in Melbourne
At least two flares were let off in the street (pictured) as protesters stormed Melbourne
The drama comes as two Virgin Airlines Flights were declared a Tier 1 Covid exposure sites after a positive case passenger is thought to have travelled while infectious.
Anyone who travelled on Virgin Flight VA808 from Sydney to Melbourne on August 2 departing 7:00am must immediately get tested and self isolate for 14 days, regardless of the result.
It is the same story for those who flew on Virgin Flight VA1364 from Melbourne to Launceston on the same day, departing at 10:35am.
Those who may have visited Melbourne Airport Terminal 3
