Thousands of people in Austria took to the streets in Vienna on Saturday in protest of a nationwide lockdown slated to begin Monday in the government's latest effort to curb the ongoing spread of COVID-19.
The Freedom Party called for protests in the country in response to the new restrictions.
Herbert Kickl, the leader of the party, said recently he contracted COVID-19 and couldn't attend the protest, though he appeared in a video where he told protestors to stand up against government efforts he called "totalitarian," according to the report.
People are demonstrating against the country's coronaviruses restrictions in Vienna, Austria.
AP Photo/Lisa Leutner
Austrian Chancellor Alexander Schallenberg said on Friday that the lock down would last at least 10 days. At the end of 10 days, the lock down could be extended another 10 days.
According to the AP, people will be allowed to leave their homes to exercise, go to medical appointments, and buy groceries.
People are demonstrating against the country's coronaviruses restrictions in Vienna, Austria.
AP Photo/Lisa Leutner
The protesters were told to wear masks by the police officers who responded to the protest. The protesters shouted "resistance!" and blew whistles at the march that began in Vienna.
The vaccine will be mandatory on February 1. The Austrian population is vaccine free, according to CNN.
According to the World Health Organization, there were about 65,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the week of November 15. Over the last month, the data shows a sharp increase in the number of cases diagnosed.
Police officers stand in front of a group of people who are protesting against measures to battle the coronaviruses.
AP Photo/Florian Schroetter.
There are new efforts to end the spread of COVID-19. In the Dutch city of Rotterdam, protesters burned cars and threw rocks at police. At least two people were injured when police used water cannons and fired warning shots.
