Covid in the Netherlands: clashes between police and anti-restriction protesters

Thousands of people defied a ban on assembling and protesting Dutch government lockdown measures on Covid-19, in Amsterdam on Sunday, January 2, 2022. AP - Peter Dejong

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3 min

The police used batons, this Sunday, January 2, 2022 in Amsterdam, to disperse several thousand people who had gathered to protest against the containment and the anti-Covid-19 vaccination.

Public gatherings of more than two people are currently prohibited in the Netherlands.

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As the

imposed a new lockdown a week before Christmas in an attempt to stem the spread of the Omicron variant, and the health system is under strain, at least thirty people have been arrested after clashes in the capital. this Sunday. 

Clashes with the police resulted in several minor injuries and the police.

Four members of the security forces were injured, police said in a statement.

The city's mayor, Femke Halsema, had issued an emergency order allowing police to evacuate the museum district in the city center after thousands of protesters defied the ban on gathering to march on the street. Museuplein playing music and holding yellow umbrellas.

On December 19, the government

the closure of all non-essential businesses, restaurants, bars, cinemas, museums and theaters, until at least January 14, and schools at least until January 9.

Only gatherings of two people are allowed outside, with some exceptions.

However, no traffic restrictions were imposed.

Slideshow: demonstration against health restrictions on December 2 in Amsterdam

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With agencies

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• Netherlands

• Coronavirus

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