
Police allegedly let more than 30 guests celebrate a Melbourne wedding despite strict rules banning ceremonies with more than five people present.

A reception was held in Broadmeadows, in the city's north, on Sunday, with pictures and video showing family and friends dancing to a drummer's beat and gathering for a photo with the bride and groom.

Locals and guests said Victoria Police were called, and officers made a brief appearance, but celebrations continued afterwards.

Attendees were allegedly told the party could continue following the traditional Islamic ceremony as long as they kept 1.5 metres away from one another and limited themselves to groups of five people.

Victoria Police let wedding celebrations go ahead in Broadmeadows, Victoria, at the weekend despite strict social distancing measures. 32 people are in the above photograph

Those present at the wedding were told the party could continue if they kept 1.5m away from one another and kept themselves in groups of five. The bride and groom are on left

The Melbourne wedding sparked fierce debate online with guests and friends lashing out at critics on a local Crimestoppers Facebook group.

'The cops came and did nothing,' one wedding guest said. 'They let us continue in groups of five and 1.5 metres apart.'

Rules announced by Prime Minister Scott Morrison on March 24 restricted weddings to the bride, groom, celebrant and two witnesses from March 26.

CORONAVIRUS CASES IN AUSTRALIA: 26,651 Victoria: 19,835 New South Wales: 4,166 Queensland: 1,149 Western Australia: 659 South Australia: 466 Tasmania: 230 Australian Capital Territory: 113 Northern Territory: 33 TOTAL CASES: 26,651 CURRENT ACTIVE CASES: 1,340 DEATHS: 810 Updated: 9.56 PM, 13 September, 2020 Advertisement

Several couples, including Steve Irwin's daughter Bindi and lover Chandler Powell, brought their weddings forward so they could celebrate with family.

Authorities were hesitant to give an explanation for what occurred in this situation.

'Victoria Police will not provide a running commentary on individual spot checks, reports of people breaching self-isolation or breaches of mass gatherings,' a police spokeswoman said.

'However we have seen the vast majority of the community treat this issue with the seriousness it deserves up until this point.'

Daily Mail Australia has approached Victorian Police Minister Lisa Neville, the groom and several guests for comment.

The wedding - although hardly large by normal standards - came before draconian new guidelines banning public gatherings of more than two people.

Victorian authorities confirmed on Wednesday that the state's Stage Three guidelines are so strict couples can't meet up if they don't already live together.

Ms Neville tweeted on Wednesday: 'You cannot visit your partner for social reasons'.

Police stand guard outside Melbourne's Crown hotel where travellers from overseas have been placed into forced quarantine since new coronavirus control measures kicked at midnight Saturday

NSW Police move on a family sitting in Rushcutters Bay park as authorities enforce 'stay home unless essential' orders across the nation

Asked if a social visit was allowed, Premier Daniel Andrews said in a press conference: 'That's not work, that's not care-giving, that's not medical care, that's not shopping for the things you need when you need them, and it does not comply with the rules. People should not do that.'

The rules are different in New South Wales, the state worst affected by the coronavirus, where couples are allowed to visit each other at home.

NSW Police Commissioner Mick Fuller said visiting a partner counts as 'care' because it is vital for mental health.

'I would put that under care, absolutely, mental health, that's under care… we need to look after each other,' Mr Fuller said.

The Victorian government website reads: 'Every interaction with another person carries the risk of transmission and should be avoided.'