LATEST: Government shuts down construction sector on back of violent protests

The Victorian government has shut down construction in all lockdown-impacted areas of the state for the next fortnight.

It means it will be “tools down” on projects across all of metro Melbourne, Geelong, the Surf Coast, Ballarat and Mitchell Shire.

It comes on the back of violent anti-vaccination protests in the CBD on Monday.

The front of the CFMEU’s head office in Melbourne was completely trashed during the ugly scenes.

Protesters clashed with police and abused union officials, some even attempting to throw punches, during the chaos.

It has sparked the government into action, already concerned about the increasing spread of COVID-19 on worksites.

Hundreds of Victoria’s 5675 active cases have been traced back to the construction sector.

A handful of projects, deemed vital, will be able to continue.

Sites will have to prove they’re COVID-safe and meet vaccination requirements before they can re-open next month.

Workers will have to show evidence to their employer they’ve had their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine before they can return to work.

The Victorian government will now also look at what business support is available for more than 300,000 people, who are now out of work.