Melbourne shoppers appear to break social distancing rules buying weekend groceries

Hundreds of weekend shoppers have defied social distancing restrictions to gather at shopping strips in Melbourne's northern suburbs. 

Retailers say it's near impossible to control customers who don't understand health advice or are choosing not to listen. 

The local government area of Whittlesea may be among Melbourne's worst COVID-19 hotspots. 

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But the threat of the virus and miserable weather wasn't enough to deter hordes of shoppers in Lalor.

"It's dangerous. It's not easy," No.1 Fruit Market owner Ahmed Alex said.

In Oakleigh some shoppers ignored new social distancing signage. 

The city's farmers markets were less busy. 

The Victorian Government back-flipped on a decision to ban them late last night. 

Chief Medical Officer Professor Brett Sutton apologised for the confusion.

"I know it was disruptive, I apologise ," he said.

The sudden reprieve was welcomed by anxious market traders.

"We'd be looking at $20,000 to $25,000 worth of loss if these markets failed to go ahead," John Davidson from The Cripps Family Fish Farm said.