Anti-vaccine rioters who attacked a union office in Melbourne infected at least THIRTY SEVEN people with Covid including dozens of kids and two babies - as officials blast 'selfless and reckless' protesters

A series of violent protests outside Melbourne's CFMEU building has left 37 people infected with Covid-19, after seven union officials caught the virus from rioters and unknowingly took it home to their families.

Among those infected from the rallies, which saw the city stand still at the end of last month include 'very sick' elderly parents, young children and two babies, the union confirmed on Tuesday.

Daily Mail Australia understands the total number now struck down with the virus from the protests has jumped to 37 after union officials unknowingly infected their families after catching Covid at the protest.

A four-month-old baby is understood to be in hospital with the virus along with their mother, as is a two-year-old toddler.

The union's secretary John Setka unleashed on those responsible for the jump in cases, labelling them 'selfish idiots'.

A series of violent protests outside Melbourne's CFMEU building has left 37 residents infected with Covid-19 (pictured on September 20)

Those at the rallies were protesting against the government's vaccine mandate for tradies

Some were seen hurling bread crates at the CFMEU office in Melbourne last month (pictured on September 20)

'The tragedy is that due to the actions of these reckless and selfish protesters, many of these members families who have been infected are very sick with the Delta virus,' he said in a statement on Tuesday.

'These protesters are just selfish idiots with absolutely no care for anyone other than themselves.

'They have caused enormous stress and heartache for members' families who were just doing their job on the day of the protest.'

The violence first began on September 20 with construction workers furious at the state government's mandate for all workers to get the jab.

Hundreds of construction workers gathered together to protest against vaccine mandates for the industry

The chaos prompted Premier Daniel Andrews to shut down the construction industry entirely for two weeks with workers finally able to get back on the tools on Tuesday

Over 300,000 plus constructions workers were left locked out of work as a result of the decision to shut down the industry

Tradies donning high-vis vests gathered outside the CFMEU building to protest against the vaccine mandates while chanting expletive-ridden messages to Mr Setka and hurling objects towards the union's office.

Bottles and a bread crate were among the projectiles thrown, while a glass window was also smashed during the ugly and chaotic scenes.

The chaos prompted Premier Daniel Andrews to shut down the construction industry entirely for two weeks - sparking even more protests over the next few days. 

More than 300,000 plus constructions workers were left locked out of work as a result of the snap decision.

For the rest of the week, furious protesters chased police and pelted squad cars with cans as rallies on the streets descended into chaos and stopped traffic.

Some healthcare workers were told not to wear their uniforms in public after being spat on by vile demonstrators and two vaccination centres were forced to close.

Meanwhile, a Channel 7 TV reporter covering the march was assaulted by a protester and had bags filled with urine thrown at him while countless people were arrested.

Police are seen wrestling with a protester on September 21 in Melbourne during the wild riots

A sea of protesters are seen marching through the streets of Melbourne on September 21

The front window of the CFMEU building was smashed by violent protesters on September 20

As of Tuesday, the construction industry has resumed work with 25 per cent of staff able to work on large projects.

Daily inspections will be carried out at sites while all workers will need to have received both jabs by November 13 and will need to carry an authorised permit.

Sites will need to show an updated Covidsafe plan and a designated Covid marshall will also be required.

Tea rooms can also reopen following the installation of ventilators and fans to help with air flow.

It comes after Victoria suffered a record-breaking 1,763 new coronavirus infections on Tuesday - the highest ever daily total in Australia.

Melbourne has been locked down longer than any city in the world through the whole pandemic and will not begin to taste freedom until at least October 26. 

How the protests unfolded:

Monday, September 20

Construction workers angry about vaccination mandates storm the headquarters of the Construction, Forestry, Maritime, Mining and Energy Union in Melbourne's CBD.

Hours later Premier Daniel Andrews announces a statewide shutdown of the construction industry for two weeks from September 21. 

Tuesday, September 21

About 2,000 protesters angered by the shutdown of sites across Metropolitan Melbourne, Geelong, the Surf Coast, Ballarat and Mitchell Shire march through the city.

Anti-vaxxer protesters chased police and pelted squad cars with cans as as they gather outside Victoria's Parliament House. 

They march to block the West Gate Bridge - a major freeway into Melbourne's CBD - bringing peak hour traffic to a stand still. 

Wednesday, September 22

Riot police move in to shut down dozens of people marching along Elizabeth and Collins streets.

About 400 protesters descend on Victoria's Shrine of Remembrance in a three hour stand off with police, chanting 'lest we forget'.

Thursday, September 23

Victoria Police ramp up measures to stop protesters gathering including an attempt to stop television crews from live streaming from outside construction union CFMEU's headquarters. 

Two Melbourne vaccination hubs were forced to close after workers were spat on by anti-vaxxer protesters.

Friday, September 24

As protest numbers dwindle 60 people gathered in Melbourne's inner north suburbs.

Riot police were deployed to Northcote Plaza shopping centre where 31 arrests were made.

Saturday, September 25  

About 200 demonstrators descend on St Kilda foreshore for the 'Millions March for Freedom' rally.

There were 20 public response order units deployed and a roadblock setup outside Melbourne's Luna Park.

Hundreds of officers arrested dozens of demonstrators with one person heard shouting 'F*** Dan Andrews' through a megaphone.