Police say they have arrested fifteen people following protest activity in Brisbane CBD this morning.
Of those arrested, thirteen people were charged with contravene a direction and seven charged with obstruct police. Other offences included breach of bail and drug possession.
Eleven people have been released on bail with three people remaining in custody at the Brisbane Watchhouse after refusing to provide any particulars.
Police handed out 21 Public Infringement Notices (PINs) to people for allegedly breaching COVID-19 restrictions in addition to 10 other infringements and issued 11 Move On Directions.
Eight masks were handed out.
The Queensland Police Service (QPS) is committed to ensuring the safety of all residents within the restricted Local Government Areas and seek the cooperation of the community to comply with the current Chief Health Officer’s (CHO) directives.
All police actions are intended to keep our community safe from the further spread of COVID.
Whilst the QPS recognises and facilitates lawful protest action this is not the time for protests and police will take appropriate action to protect the community during the lockdown period.
Police will also take enforcement action where necessary against any deliberate breach of the CHO directives.
Recent stories, information and updates regarding COVID-19
COVID-19 reduces Australian life expectancy
New data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics Life shows life expectancy in Australia has decreased slightly for the second year in a row.
Wuhan market increasingly likely origin point for COVID-19
An international team of researchers has found more evidence that COVID-19 came from animals in a Wuhan food market.
Editorial – There’s a bat in my lab!
The lab-leak theory that Covid-19 came from the Wuhan Institute of Virology – instead of a nearby wet market – was thrashed about in public recently, with the US Senate Homeland Security Committee holding a hearing into Covid-19.
Fresh air federal funds for Northern Rivers schools in need
Eighteen schools in the Northern Rivers division of Richmond have received $25,000 each as part of the federal government’s School Upgrade Fund, Labor Member for Richmond Justine Elliot said last week.
COVID-19 pandemic has cut life expectancy globally
COVID-19 reversed earlier trends toward longer life expectancies. During the pandemic, life expectancies globally dropped by 1.6 years according to a new study published in the Lancet medical journal.
COVID-19 update for New South Wales
Let’s not forget that Covid-19 is still a big issue in our community with 31,935 cases reported across Australia in the last week – an average of 4,562 cases per day.
Five graphs you need to see before the Global Carbon Budget...
The Global Carbon Budget is about to be refreshed, giving the world a critical insight into how efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions are (or are not) progressing.
Public transport mask mandate to end
Masks will no longer be mandatory on public transport from tomorrow, Wednesday 21 September.
NSW Police: be COVID-vigilant at Splendour in the Grass
SW Police are urging festival-goers at this weekend’s music festival to celebrate in a safe and responsible manner, whilst also being aware of COVID-Safety measures.
COVID-19 update for the NNSWLHD – May 23
The Northern NSW Local Health District reports that to 4pm yesterday, Sunday May 22, there were 40 COVID-19 positive patients in hospital in Northern NSW, with one of these in ICU.
For four decades The Echo has printed the stories some people loved, some people hated, and some pretended not to read. If you want us to keep telling the truth, the real truth, not the sugar-coated version. We’ll need your support to keep the presses rolling. 
