Vienna (AFP)

Thousands of demonstrators once again pounded the pavement on Saturday in Vienna to cries of "Freedom" to denounce the health restrictions imposed by the Austrian government in the face of the Covid-19 pandemic, AFP journalists noted.

Around 2,000, according to police figures, gathered under the bright sun, demanding the resignation of Conservative Chancellor Sebastian Kurz.

On the signs and banners, calls to "stop the dictatorship" or to "leave the children alone".

Already last week, protesters had made their voices heard in the Austrian capital, after several months of hiatus, proclaiming their "duty to resist in the face of injustice".

Austria was among the first European countries to introduce a health pass system.

Since the general reopening in mid-May, you must present a negative test, an antibody certificate or proof of vaccination in hotels, restaurants, sports halls, museums, at the hairdresser or for sporting and cultural events.

"I am completely excluded from everyday life," lamented Shkelqim Kameni, 28, who came especially from Salzburg, 300 km from the Austrian capital, to take part in the march.

"I can't have a coffee or play sports, I can't do anything at all. I can just work, eat and go shopping, that's all," explains the young man who refuses to be tested or vaccinate.

Nearby, Thomas Pratter, 49, sells anti-containment, anti-mask or anti-vaccine badges for five euros each.

He says he is "opposed to any other restriction of fundamental rights", while now "vulnerable groups are protected".

Since the emergence of the pandemic in spring 2020, Austria, a country of 8.9 million inhabitants, has recorded nearly 11,000 deaths.

Demonstration against health restrictions, September 11, 2021 in Vienna, Austria JOE KLAMAR AFP

To date, nearly 60% of its population has been fully vaccinated against the backdrop of the campaign's marked shortness of breath.

In this context, the number of contaminations has started to rise again in recent weeks, exceeding the number of 2,000 new cases daily.

Sebastian Kurz warned this week that if the situation continued to deteriorate, restrictions could be tightened on those unvaccinated.

© 2021 AFP