Lockdown rebels are posting the location of police checkpoints on Facebook
A group of coronavirus rebels are posting the location of police checkpoints in Melbourne on Facebook in what's believed to be a bid to help residents avoid lockdown restrictions.
Over five millions Melbournians woke to a "ring of steel" around the city on yesterday as thousands of police began to enforce the six-week stay-at-home orders.
Determined to fight the stage-three restrictions, the "Lockdown" group quickly gained momentum.
READ MORE: Victorian mother in lockdown calls for unity amongst all Australians
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A Victoria Police checkpoint set up on the border of Sunbury and Gisborne on the Calder Freeway. Paul Rovere
The group – which boasts over 1000 members – claims "freedom is everything" despite the number of COVID-19 cases superseding 3,000 yesterday.
It boasts of finding police and military checkpoints that are controlling the passage of residents into other postcodes or states, and publishes the details to help "rebels" avoid them.
This photo was posted to show the location of a checkpoint on the Hume Freeway. Facebook
A number of locations and photographs of police set ups have been posted.
The group's founder also told members they do not have to open their doors to health authorities to be tested.
The group description read its 'dedicated' to the Victorian communities in lockdown. Facebook
A group member speculated the testing was a ruse to collect and keep residents DNA on file – a view experts fear stopped thousands of Melburnians from accepting door-to-door tests last week.
Authorities have condemned the group, with police telling Today they still have the power to pull over anyone at anytime, even if stationary checkpoints are avoided.
Police stop and question drivers at a checkpoint on July 8, 2020 in Albury, Australia. Getty
This comes after a widespread testing blitz led to the diagnosis of 165 new cases of COVID-19 in Victoria yesterday. Only 30 are linked to known infections.
Today have contacted the administrator of the Facebook page for comment but have not received a reply.
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