Protests Heat up Across Europe Over Renewed COVID Restrictions

Protests are erupting across Europe as renewed COVID-19 restrictions and lockdowns are implemented amid escalating cases of the virus. Austria, in its fourth national lockdown, has become the first European country to introduce compulsory vaccinations, according to multiple media reports.

Demonstrations voicing opposition to the new restrictions have been erupting in Brussels, Vienna, Rome and Amsterdam, among other places in Europe. Protests in Vienna broke out following Austria’s new lockdown, which went into effect on Monday (Nov. 22) and has people working from home and nonessential stores closing.

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“It hurts that such measures still have to be taken,” Austrian Chancellor Alexander Schallenberg said at a televised news conference last week, PYMNTS reported.

Two-thirds of Austrians are fully vaccinated, but the country’s goal now is to have 100% of the population vaccinated by the end of February. Schallenberg estimates that the lockdown will run no longer than 20 days, and compulsory vaccinations will take effect on Feb. 1.

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Belgium’s “Protest for Freedom” march had an estimated 35,000 people gathering against stricter COVID restrictions, and in the Netherlands, three days of demonstrations followed violence and the arrests of more than 50 people in Rotterdam. There were also reports of trouble in The Hague and other smaller Dutch towns.

Protestors are also opposed to the expansion of COVID passports, which require vaccinations to enter venues such as museums and bars. Italy’s version of the COVID passport, the “Green Pass,” became mandatory for all Italian workers on Oct. 15.

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In Croatia’s capital Zagreb, protestors marched against mandatory vaccinations for public-sector workers and COVID passes, while German politicians started discussing the need for mandatory vaccinations. Germany has had record-high rates of the virus in the past two weeks, with a vaccination rate of 69%.