Nicosia (AFP)

Thousands of protesters opposing health restrictions in Cyprus gathered outside the presidential palace on Sunday and some later attacked the headquarters of a local television station and burned cars in the surrounding area, according to police.

The police press service told AFP that some 5,000 people gathered in front of the presidential palace in Nicosia, capital of the Mediterranean island.

About 2,500 demonstrators then headed for the headquarters of the Sigma TV channel, torching at least one car and causing damage to the building, added the press service without reporting any immediate arrests or injuries.

"A cowardly attack took place on Sunday evening in front of our headquarters" in Nicosia, Sigma TV said, adding that the attackers threw firecrackers and damaged staff cars.

Thousands of people were gathered, most without masks, near the premises of the chain, waving signs against the "health pass", noted an AFP journalist.

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Broken glass littered the ground and at least four cars bearing the Sigma logo were damaged, including one completely burnt out, according to an AFP video journalist.

Calm had returned by the end of the evening but the police were still present.

Sigma TV added that police entered the building to protect the employees.

On social networks, one of its presenters posted a video showing burning cars and destroyed furniture in the lobby of the building.

"We are all safe," he added.

The channel, seen as opposed to anti-vaccine activists, had already been targeted in previous protests against health restrictions in the country.

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Cyprus is facing a fourth wave of coronavirus contaminations, due to the spread of the Delta variant.

For the first time, the southern part of the divided island, which has fewer than 900,000 inhabitants, recorded more than 1,000 cases in one day last week.

On Sunday, 858 new cases including one death were recorded, bringing the total toll to 91,196 cases, including 385 deaths.

From Tuesday and at least until July 31, the health pass (obtained three weeks after the first dose or recovery from Covid) or a PCR or antigen test of less than 72 hours will be mandatory to enter any meeting place of more than 20 people, outside or inside, beaches and pharmacies excepted, in order to encourage the vaccination of young people.

Over 70% of the vaccine-eligible population received a first dose, and 60% both doses.

© 2021 AFP