Canberra Airport is experiencing serious traffic delays this afternoon as the COVID-19 vaccine mandate protests continue in the capital.

According to posts on social media, a breakaway group of protest attendees are heading to the airport to greet MPs who are landing in Canberra for this week’s sitting in parliament.

ACT Policing will monitor the protests, and traffic control measures will be in place to minimise the impact on legitimate airport users; however, it is likely traffic heading to and from the airport will experience delays.

Footage posted to Twitter showed heavy traffic in the area already so passengers are advised to allow extra time to get to the airport before their flights. Drivers who can avoid the area are asked to do so if possible.

It is believed the group of protesters are likely to stay in Canberra until at least Tuesday 8 February when Federal Parliament returns for its first sitting week in 2022.

The crowd has continued to build over the week-long protests and the ‘Millions Against Mandatory Vaccination’ group are calling more people to join them in Canberra.

It comes a day after thousands of protesters marched through Canberra’s streets before reaching Parliament House where riot police were deployed.

The demonstrators have come from across Australia to show their displeasure at vaccine mandates and tough pandemic restrictions.

Many in the crowd carried flags and held signs criticising current mandates while singing songs in a largely peaceful protest.

MPs Craig Kelly from the United Australia Party and George Christensen from the Liberal National Party appeared at the protests yesterday.

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