• An anti-lockdown protest is slated to take place at Flinders Street Station in Melbourne from 19:00 (local time) on May 27.
• The protest is in response to the lockdown announced in Victoria state from 23:59 on May 27 until 23:59 on June 3 amid reports of a fast-spreading COVID-19 variant.

1. The planned event comes after public threats of rallying against a now confirmed lockdown in response to a series of new infections in the state. Turnout at the event is expected to be high, with numbers likely to reach the mid-to-high hundreds. This is evidenced by social media interest surrounding the event, coupled with the widespread dissatisfaction with the reimposition of pandemic-related restrictions.
2. Security precautions are likely to be bolstered in the vicinity of the event, particularly should the event continue past 23:59 as such gatherings are prohibited, which cannot be ruled out. While security forces are unlikely to resort to crowd dispersal measures, the distribution of fines carries a risk of outbreaks of unrest. Further, given the central location of the event near a major transportation artery, disruptions to traffic are expected throughout the evening hours.

Those operating or residing in Melbourne on May 27 are advised to maintain vigilance in the aforementioned location due to the slated protest and potential for unrest.