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Australian police on Saturday arrested more than 250 protesters who were condemning coronavirus-related lockdown policies in the country, AP reports.
Driving the news: Sydney issued strict COVID protocol for more than two months, with Melbourne and Canberra entering lockdown in early August. Australia is currently facing its worst COVID-19 resurgence to date, and on Saturday reported its highest ever single-day rise in cases since the start of the pandemic.
By the numbers: The country reported a total of 43,119 confirmed coronavirus cases, with 903 new cases reported Saturday, according to government data.
What's happening: Thousands of protesters gathered across the country on Saturday, arguing that the lockdowns — which confine people to their homes and limit social events — should end. Government officials say they are necessary to prevent the virus from further spreading, per AP.
- "There is no time now to be selfish, it's time to think of the broader community and your families," said Brad Hazzard, New South Wales' health minister, per Reuters.