Thousands of people gathered on Sunday January 2 in Amsterdam to protest against the health restrictions in force in the Netherlands, where a new containment was imposed a week before Christmas in the face of the spread of the Omicron variant.

Despite the ban before the demonstration by the authorities, many people gathered on the Museumplein, one of the main squares in the Dutch capital, observed an AFP correspondent.

Clashes with the police resulted in several minor injuries and the police made arrests, according to Dutch public television NOS.

"Here is Holland! Power to the people!" Chanted one of the demonstrators.

Health restrictions are strict in the Netherlands.

A new confinement was imposed on the population there a week before Christmas in the face of a new wave of Covid-19 and the spread of the Omicron variant. 

All non-essential shops, restaurants, bars, cinemas, museums and theaters are closed until January 14 and schools until at least January 9. 

Outside, only gatherings of two people are allowed, with exceptions such as funerals.

But no restriction on movement has been decided.

With AFP

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