One woman was detained by police outside Queen Victoria Market. She was heard yelling:“I will never stop fighting for my rights and my freedoms” and “COVID is a hoax,do you think your mask is protecting you?”

Another man who was holding an Australian red ensign flag was marched through the park by police before he was detained and his information was taken.

Police were seen checking IDs and escorting protesters back to their cars on Saturday.

The police spokesman said protesters were given “ample opportunity” to leave the event before they were fined or arrested.

“Victoria Police will continue to have a highly visible presence in the Melbourne CBD,on the roads and across the public transport network over coming days to support the community in complying with the CHO’s directions,” he said.

“Those who choose to blatantly disregard the CHO’s directions and put the health and safety of all Victorians in jeopardy can expect to be held accountable and fined.”

Health Minister Martin Foley said on Saturday that protesting was a breach of public health orders and anyone taking part faced being fined.

“Look,the virus does not respond to protests,the virus responds to public health measures,” Mr Foley said.

“There are five legal reasons to leave your home. Protesting against a virus is not going to work and if you do,you are breaching the public health orders and Victoria Police will hold you to account for that,and that involves significant fines.”