Thousands Protest over COVID Restrictions in Czech Republic
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Thousands of people took part in a protest against COVID-19 restrictions in Prague, the Czech Republic, on Sunday, claiming that current restrictions are a “road to hell.”
“The state should listen to the people's demands. The arrangements and restrictions lead us on the road to hell,” shouted one protester, according to Reuters, while others waved Czech flags and chanted, RT reported.
A similar protest against COVID-19 restrictions in October 2020 led to clashes with law enforcement after police fired water cannons at protesters and deployed tear gas. Demonstrators at the time were protesting against mask mandates, social distancing policies, and caps on social gatherings.
Diners at restaurants in the Czech Republic are currently required to show proof of vaccination or recovery from a recent COVID-19 infection. The same rules apply to accommodation, night clubs, and cultural venues such as museums in the country.
Since a new center-right government took office in mid-December, the Czech authorities have given up on the idea of introducing vaccine mandates for healthcare workers, police, soldiers as well as for seniors over 60. The new government of PM Petr Fiala argued that compulsory vaccinations would only stir divisions in society. He, nevertheless, stated that vaccination was the “best way” to fight the pandemic.
This month, Czech Health Minister Vlastimil Valek said the idea of mandatory vaccination was “nonsense from the start.”