Brisbane hotel protest amid virus fears

About 300 protesters have blockaded a Brisbane hotel, accusing the government of seeking to silence detained asylum seekers by moving them.

Supporters of about 120 detainees on Saturday briefly surged past security into the hotel compound in a failed bid to unite one of the asylum seekers with his wife and child.

The protesters pulled back on request of one of the detained men, who said their actions could lead to the asylum seekers being punished.

Supporters of the asylum seekers have vowed to continue preventing authorities from accessing the Kangaroo Point Central Hotel.

Protesters are demanding the government cease transferring the asylum seekers and return people who've already been moved.

"The reason they are transferring them is because they have caused so much noise," protest spokeswoman Ruby Thorburn told reporters on Saturday.

"It is really important that we continue to maintain that."

About 40 men holding signs saying "Where Is Justice" and "Refugees Are Without Crime" stood on the hotel's balconies waving as the protest kicked off.

Organisers played phone calls reportedly from the asylum seekers detained inside the hotel over loudspeakers.

"We did not do anything wrong but what the Australian government is doing with us is what they do with criminals, murderers," the unidentified man said.

"We are fathers, brothers and uncles and we have been suffering for so long. We are innocent people," another man said.

Some of those at the hotel have been in detention for years after coming to Australia for medical treatment.

The organisers are also demanding the men be granted freedom of movement.

"They cannot go out to exercise for their health. We demand they be allowed to walk around and get some fresh air," protest spokesman Sam Watson said.

The protest commenced on Thursday night and continued on Friday.

Trucks and other vehicles leaving the hotel precinct were searched to ensure no asylum seekers were inside.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk previously warned people not to attend the rally due to coronavirus fears.

"It is essential we come out now. These men are in a dire situation. They are in a close confined place. They cannot socially distance," Mr Watson said.

"The guards coming in and out are not isolating, so anything they pick up comes into the hotel and it spreads like wildfire."

Ms Thorburn said organisers had negotiated with police and were handing out masks and hand sanitiser in an attempt to reduce transmission of the virus.

"We are reminding people that we are in a pandemic and it is important to be mindful," she said.