Angry protesters with coronavirus restrictions have held rallies in several European cities, days after the Netherlands was ravaged by riots against a curfew.
In Brussels, Belgian police on Sunday arrested many protesters at an unauthorized demonstration against measures aimed at combating the spread of COVID-19, including an overnight curfew and closing bars and restaurants.
Belgium has recorded one of the highest mortality rates in the world due to pandemic coronavirus infection, but restrictions introduced in October have brought down infectious and hospital cases in the UK. last two months.
Meanwhile, police dispersed protesters at a demonstration in the Hungarian capital, Budapest, where workers in the country’s hospitality sector called for civil disobedience and a reconsideration of lock-in restrictions. .
The government of Prime Minister Viktor Orban has said that they could not start mitigating the measures if the number of cases falls suddenly, or if large numbers of Hungarians are in circulation.
Hungary, with a population of about 10 million, had a total of 367,586 reported cases on Sunday and 12,524 deaths. New infections have been falling but more than 3,500 people remain in hospital.
In the Austrian capital, Vienna, anti-police protesters in riot gear at a long-banned demonstration site against coronavirus loops. Participants reported included well-known figures on the far right.
Authorities had banned a number of protests planned for this weekend, including one by the far-flung Freedom Party on Sunday, because protesters have generally adhered to rules about physical speed and often do not wear face masks.
Since December 26, Austria has been in its third national closure, with non-essential shops and many other businesses closed and their employees unable to work.
In Amsterdam, some 30 people were arrested when Dutch police issued a protest against lock-in measures while authorities tried to quell the ongoing protests. on cities for three days last week.
Police said they detained about 600 people who had violated body speed rules and noticed a nationwide ban on public gatherings by gathering in the center of Amsterdam’s museumplein. There were no reports of violent incidents by the end of Sunday afternoon.