Protesters against coronavirus restrictions and mandatory COVID-19 passes erupted across Europe yesterday, including clashes in Rotterdam and massive rallies in Vienna and Rome, as authorities announced more-stringent measures in an attempt to control rising cases and deaths ahead of the winter holidays.
In Vienna, tens of thousands of people took to the streets Saturday after the country’s decision to mandate vaccines for everyone starting in February and impose new lockdowns beginning Monday.
In neighboring Switzerland, 2,000 people protested an upcoming referendum on whether to approve the government’s COVID-19 restrictions law, claiming it was discriminatory, public broadcaster SRF reported.
In Italy, weekly protests against coronavirus restrictions showed no signs of easing, with 3000 people gathering at the ancient Circus Maximus grounds on Saturday to protest against “Green Pass” certificates required at workplaces, restaurants, cinemas, theatres, sports venues and gyms, as well as for long-distance train, bus or ferry travel.
Netherlands protested late on Friday against a proposed law that would ban unvaccinated people from entering businesses even if they provide a negative test. At least seven people were injured and more than 50 arrested after demonstrations turned violent in Rotterddam, with protesters throwing stones and police firing shots, according to Dutch police.
They also protested on Saturday at the capital Amsterdam a partial lockdown that went into effect last week and will last until at least Dec. 4, which forces restaurants and other establishments to close at 8 p.m.
Ferd Grapperhaus, the Netherlands’ minister of security and justice, called for a “vigorous debate” over pandemic measures but said “harassment and violence do not belong” there.
Europe is the world’s only region with coronavirus deaths on the rise, with a 5 percent jump since earlier this month, according to the World Health Organization. In response, authorities are tightening rules for the unvaccinated.
Foe example, In Berlin only those who are vaccinated or have recovered from the virus can now go inside bars and restaurants, Greece reimposed some restrictions for unvaccinated people and Belgium mandated that people work from home at least four days a week.
Other protests were held in dozens of cities across Europe. In Belfast, several hundred people gathered outside city hall to oppose vaccine passports. In Croatia’s capital, Zagreb, anti-vaccine marchers waved flags and carried banners denouncing vaccine mandates as violations of personal freedom.
The European Union relies on digital covid certificates to allow people to travel between E.U. countries without quarantining and — in many places — enter restaurants and other sites. The certificate shows if a person is vaccinated, has recently tested negative for the virus or has already recovered from the virus. The European Commission said Friday that the 27-nation bloc has so far issued 660 million certificates.
“The issuance of covid certificates is a very important tool to ensure safe, free movement in the European Union and also a very successful tool,” spokesman Christian Wigand told reporters Friday.
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