Coronavirus: Police, DHBs wary of planned protest at COVID-19 vaccination centre

As private health sites, all of the COVID-19 vaccine venues have security on site.
As private health sites, all of the COVID-19 vaccine venues have security on site. Photo credit: Getty

Police are keeping an eye on a possible protest outside a COVID-19 vaccination clinic scheduled for Saturday afternoon.

The location of the protest isn't clear, except that it will be in the northern region - which covers district health boards in Northland, Counties-Manukau, Waitemata and Auckland. 

Police said they have been taking precautionary measures, but don't know where it will be either.

"Police's role is to ensure safety and uphold the law, while recognising the lawful right to protest," a spokesperson told Newshub.

"Police as an organisation is well-practiced in dealing with these events, and our staff will work to ensure an effective response is provided based on the circumstances at the time."

A Northern Regional Health Coordination Centre spokesperson said they were aware of the planned protest.

"We are working with agencies like the police to ensure we are informed about any risks which may be associated with this activity," they told Newshub. 

"Our centres are private health sites where people can only attend by appointment. They are part of the ramp-up of the Government's scheduled rollout."

The spokesperson reassured Newshub all venues have security on site "to ensure the health and safety of our patients, their whanau and support people" as well as the safety of their staff.

"We will continue to monitor the situation closely."

Anti-lockdown group Voices of Freedom told Newshub it was not involved in any protests planned for Saturday - it was just having a "meeting of our supporters" and media weren't welcome.