In Italy, the Covid-19 certificate was previously required for long-distance routes, but is now required on metros, local buses and trains. From Monday, only people who have been vaccinated or become ill with Covid-19 will be allowed in the restaurants, cinemas, nightclubs and football stadiums.
Intolerance is growing in society
Protests against the restrictions broke out in several European cities over the weekend, including in Italy. Protesters staged demonstrations against the government’s reintroduction of restrictions on pandemic relief and mandatory vaccination.
Demonstrations also took place in the Danish capital, Copenhagen, Brussels and elsewhere. In Luxembourg, protesters broke into a Christmas market, breaking down barriers that bounded the market. In the Austrian capital, Vienna, 40,000 people gathered in protest, many of them against the compulsory vaccination against Covid-19, which was carried out in Austria. scheduled for launch in February.
The Belgian national counter-terrorism agency has warned that although the number of demonstrators is declining, they are becoming more radical. There is also growing public intolerance towards politicians, virologists and the media – everyone who talks about the pandemic.
Anti-vaccines join forces
Several thousand protesters took to the streets of Brussels to protest against the vaccination and the new restrictions imposed by the government. These include the mandatory wearing of masks for children over the age of 6, as well as the closure of kindergartens and primary schools from 20 December. Some had come to the protest rally with their pets.
The demonstrators carried posters with the words “vaccines do not make you free” and “stop the dictatorship”. They chanted “freedom” and “no Covid certificate.” It is necessary to enter restaurants or large events.
Other protesters called the media corrupt and demanded the resignation of the Belgian prime minister and health minister. The protesters had also been joined by several firefighters – they oppose compulsory vaccination.
A similar demonstration took to the streets 35,000 a week ago, but this time only 8,000.
The agency has warned that “hate speech against politicians, the media and virologists is becoming increasingly socially acceptable.”
Trade unions are also protesting
Similar protests took place in other European cities this weekend. Several thousand gathered in Utrecht, the Netherlands, where recent restrictions mean that all bars, restaurants and shops selling non-essential goods will be closed by 5 p.m.
Protests continued in the Belgian capital, Brussels, on Monday, but this time unions took to the streets demanding wage increases as housing, food, fuel and heating prices rose during the pandemic. The protests are also accompanied by a general strike, including by a public transport worker.
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