Police officers stand guard as opponents of restrictions imposed in the Netherlands to contain the spread of the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) protest despite a ban by local authorities, in Amsterdam, Netherlands, January 2, 2022. Reuters
Police officers stand guard as opponents of restrictions imposed in the Netherlands to contain the spread of the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) protest despite a ban by local authorities, in Amsterdam, Netherlands, January 2, 2022. Reuters
Police officers stand guard as opponents of restrictions imposed in the Netherlands to contain the spread of the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) protest despite a ban by local authorities, in Amsterdam, Netherlands, January 2, 2022. Reuters
Police officers stand guard as opponents of restrictions imposed in the Netherlands to contain the spread of the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) protest despite a ban by local authorities, in Amsterdam

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Europe

Arrests and clashes as thousands protest against Dutch Covid measures

Thousands attended the protest in Amsterdam despite authorities banning the event

Soraya Ebrahimi
Soraya Ebrahimi

January 02, 2022

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Live updates: follow the latest news on Covid-19 variant Omicron

Thousands of protesters defied authorities and gathered in the Dutch capital Amsterdam on Sunday to oppose coronavirus restrictions, leading to clashes and arrests.

"This is Holland! Power to the people!" chanted one protester.

The demonstrators rallied in one of the city's main squares, despite Dutch authorities banning the protest beforehand.

Read more

Netherlands says Omicron is now dominant strain

Clashes with police left several people with minor injuries and security forces made arrests, public broadcaster NOS reported.

Prime Minister Mark Rutte announced a lockdown one week before Christmas on December 25 in response to a fresh wave of Covid infections fuelled by the Omicron variant.

A health centre employee performs a coronavirus test in the Kurfuerstendamm shopping street in Berlin, Germany. AP Photo
A health centre employee performs a coronavirus test in the Kurfuerstendamm shopping street in Berlin, Germany. AP Photo
People present their vaccination status as they queue in front of the famous department store 'KaDeWe' in Berlin. AP Photo
People present their vaccination status as they queue in front of the famous department store 'KaDeWe' in Berlin. AP Photo
A coffin which contains a person who died with the coronavirus, and is labelled "Covid-19", in a crematorium's cold room in Meissen, Germany. AP Photo
A coffin which contains a person who died with the coronavirus, and is labelled "Covid-19", in a crematorium's cold room in Meissen, Germany. AP Photo
A quiet retail precinct during the introduction of lockdown measures in Amsterdam, Netherlands. Bloomberg
A quiet retail precinct during the introduction of lockdown measures in Amsterdam, Netherlands. Bloomberg
A vast Covid-19 vaccination centre set up inside the France's national Velodrome near Paris. EPA
A vast Covid-19 vaccination centre set up inside the France's national Velodrome near Paris. EPA
A medical technician administers nasal swabs at a mobile testing site in Paris. AP Photo
A medical technician administers nasal swabs at a mobile testing site in Paris. AP Photo
Children are vaccinated at a centre in Selestat, eastern France. AP Photo
Children are vaccinated at a centre in Selestat, eastern France. AP Photo
People queue up outside a pharmacy to have swab tests in Turin, Italy. EPA
People queue up outside a pharmacy to have swab tests in Turin, Italy. EPA
A crowd wearing face masks in downtown Madrid, Spain. AP Photo
A crowd wearing face masks in downtown Madrid, Spain. AP Photo
Nurses take care of a Covid-19 patient at the Basurto Hospital in Bilbao, Spain. EPA
Nurses take care of a Covid-19 patient at the Basurto Hospital in Bilbao, Spain. EPA

Non-essential shops, restaurants, bars, cinemas, theatres and museums remain closed until January 14 and schools until January 9.

Only two people may meet outdoors, with an exception for burials, but no travel restrictions were imposed.

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