Two central Melbourne vaccination centres have closed down after staff were spat on and abused while on their way to work during ongoing riots in the city.
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Cohealth chief executive Nicole Bartholomeusz said she was "distressed to report" several incidents where workers were physically and verbally abused by rioters because they were wearing cohealth identification.
"Due to the increasingly violent and unpredictable nature of the protests in the city, we have made the difficult decision to close the cohealth Melbourne Town Hall vaccination centre as well as our Central City homelessness service, and our street- based outreach services until Monday," she said in a statement.
The move means people experiencing homelessness will not be able to access services and about 200 people a day won't be vaccinated at the Town Hall.
Staff have been told not to wear their cohealth uniforms, lanyard or scrubs in the city, to avoid being targeted.
"We give this instruction with the heaviest of hearts, as our staff are so proud to be part of an organisation that supports our most vulnerable citizens and are proud to be recognised as cohealth workers," Mr Bartholomeusz said.
"Our staff, and all health workers, deserve to be safe at work.
"I am shocked at the treatment of people who deserve nothing but our utmost gratitude and praise for working throughout the pandemic to ensure everyone gets the support and healthcare they need."
She condemned "all acts of harassment and violence" and said cohealth was working with staff to ensure they are supported.
Premier Daniel Andrews slammed the "people pretending to be legitimate protesters" who attacked workers.
"They are vaccinating people, for heaven's sake. They are providing people with close to certainty, not absolute, but close to certainty that they will not become gravely ill," he told reporters.
"Why would you abuse, why would you, as I'm told, be spitting on people who are doing that sort of work?
"That's ugly, it's uncalled for. I'm not sure whether those people can be identified, but if they can it would be my expectation that Victoria Police would deal with them."
Australian Associated Press
