Online claim that Australian children separated from their parents after COVID positive is 'fake'
Online claim that Australian children separated from their parents after COVID positive is fake
(Reuters) – Australian children who test positive for COVID-19 are not being separated from their parents, local police have said, after such a claim was made in a now-viral video.
Footage of a young child being pulled from a man by police officers has gained thousands of views across TikTok, Twitter and Facebook.
One popular tweet says: “This is Australia. Reports of children testing positive for Covid are now being separated from their parents. #COVID19Vic #COVID19 #NoVaccinePassport”. Some users criticised the Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison in response (here) and others warned the video was evidence that COVID-19 regulations were a slippery slope towards tyranny.
— Elander’s Voice (@Elanders_Voice) August 19, 2021
However, police from the south-eastern state of Victoria said the claims were untrue.However, police from the south-eastern state of Victoria said the claims were untrue.
Victoria Police tweeted on Aug. 20: “Victoria Police can confirm this is inaccurate. This vision was in no way related to Covid/vaccinations or testing. For the privacy of those involved, we will not be providing any further details.”
— Victoria Police (@VictoriaPolice) August 20, 2021
Reuters has debunked COVID-19 misinformation relating to Australia before, such as a video said to show forced vaccination in Sydney (here) and claims that Western Australian legislation revealed plans to harm citizens (here).
VERDICT
False. Police said a viral video did not show Australian children with COVID-19 being separated from their parents.
