Police clashed with demonstrators during a protest against COVID-19 restrictions in Belgium

Several people were injured and arrested on Sunday following a COVID-19 protest that turned violent in Brussels, Belgian police confirmed. The protest followed new measures announced on December 3, including mandatory mask wearing for most primary school children.

Protesters have taken to the streets of Brussels today to voice their anger at coronavirus restrictions, which the Belgian government announced on Friday would now include mandatory mask wearing for children over the age of six.

Belgian police used water cannon and tear gas to disperse protesters in Brussels as the country tightened COVID-19 restrictions to counter a surge in infections.

What people are saying?

Ekaterina Sitnikova With all due respect for the demonstration and freedom of speech, etc. The unvaccinated should then take the second priority in hospitals – with the first priority given to those who are vaccinated and in need of urgent treatments – cancer patients and other critical cases.

Alaa A. Alluhaydan آلاء I took the vaccine to protect myself, so I do not focus on those who did not and I respect their freedom and basic rights to choose. They should do what they think is best for their health and life.