On Saturday morning, Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Shane Patton provided an update on police enforcement around the state's restrictions:

"As you are aware we have significant numbers of police out and about in the community," he said.

"We are involved on the border with border control from NSW, with the division that still exists between metro and rural Victoria and with hotel quarantine.

"[We have] our sentinel patrols that are out and about and also with the launch of our Operation Shielding teams this week - more than 200 police and PSOs out and about in public spaces and shopping centres making sure people are complying with the guidelines.

"That is over 1600 police and PSOs out and about to make sure people are complying and is a significant input by us."

While he said the vast majority of people had been compliant with restrictions, police would continue to enforce the Chief Health Officer's directions as the lockdown is extended across the state from Saturday afternoon.

Related coverage: Regional Victoria to be plunged back into lockdown from Saturday afternoon

"We will be patrolling and we will be enforcing so please comply. I implore you to do so. We will do what we need to do. - there are significant fines.

"In terms of gathering, [fines are] $5452 for a person in a public or private gathering that they should not be," he explained.

In the last 24 hours, police have issued about 70 fines for breaches of restrictions. These included for curfew and mask breaches, people travelling to rural areas and gatherings.

He stated an example of a case in Sebastopol about 2.30am on Saturday.

"Police were called to a noise complaint and saw a couple of people coming out. They investigated and found 10 people playing pool, drinking and partying without any masks."

He said every person would receive the hefty fine.

"It is ridiculous behaviour, especially when you hear the warnings about this spread and transmission in the community.

"I urge people to do the right thing but if you're not we will be fining."

It comes during "beautiful weather" forecast for the weekend.

"It's a beautiful sunny day. People want to be out and about but it is not a green light to be out and about enjoying yourself. You must comply with the chief health officer guidelines," Chief Commissioner Patton said.

He also warned against attending a lockdown protest organised for Saturday afternoon and said more than 700 police were being tasked specifically for the protest.

Police are stopping people at train stations and checkpoints across the city ahead of the protest and have already issued six infringements to people in Melbourne believed to be travelling to attend the protest.

"Please don't attend, the risk of spreading the virus is significant. Nobody should be protesting at this time.

"Every protestor we can identify and apprehend will receive a fine. It's ridiculous to think people would be so selfish and do this."

Despite the warnings from authorities, thousands of people marched through Melbourne's central business district - violently clashing with police and forcing officers to utilise pepper ball rounds and OC foam canisters in efforts to disperse the crowds.

Police arrested 218 people, while 236 people will be issued with $5452 fines for breaching restrictions by attending. Several people were taken into custody for assaulting police.

Six police officers were hospitalised following the protests, with others injured.

The Courier understands officers deployed from Ballarat to the Melbourne protest were among those injured.

Investigations into the offences committed during the protest are ongoing.

A small group of people holding signs with messaging that 'you can say no', with reference to masks, vaccinations and COVID tests, were spotted on the corner of Sturt and Lydiard streets around 1pm on Saturday, however the group dispersed before police arrived.

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