Morrison warns on virus ahead of Floyd protests

Prime Minister Scott Morrison urged Australians not to attend this weekend's planned protests over the death of George Floyd because of the virus risks.

Thousands of people are expected to attend rallies in several Australian cities in support of the African American man who was handcuffed while a white officer pressed a knee into his neck for several minutes, even after Floyd stopped moving and pleading for air.

Morrison said there are health risks and concerns about maintaining social distancing in such gatherings and asked Australians to express their views in other ways.

"I say to them 'don't go (to the protests), not because you shouldn't express your view, find another way to express your view," he told reporters in Canberra.

Police in the country's most populous state of New South Wales have sought a court injunction to prevent the planned Black Lives Matter protest from taking place Saturday.