Tens of thousands march in Austria and the Netherlands against coronavirus lockdowns
- The Austrian government said last month it would make vaccinations mandatory from February
- The Netherlands measures include a nighttime closure of bars, restaurants and most shops
Tens of thousands of protesters marched through several northwest European cities on Saturday to demonstrate against coronavirus restrictions imposed amid a surge in infections.
Austria last month became the first country in western Europe to reimpose a lockdown, which is set to last 20 days, and said it would make vaccinations mandatory from February.
Some of the more than 40,000 demonstrators in Vienna carried signs reading: “I will decide for myself”, “Make Austria Great Again” and “New Elections” – a nod to the political turmoil that has seen three chancellors within two months.
Around 1,200 police officers deployed for the march on the central Ring boulevard, and a 1,500-strong counter-protest, both allowed under the terms of Austria’s lockdown.
In the central Dutch town of Utrecht, several thousand demonstrated against restrictions that began last weekend.
Protesters carried banners reading “Medical Freedom Now!”, with a large police contingent present.