(The Hague) People were injured by police gunfire on Friday in Rotterdam where a protest against partial containment to fight the COVID-19 pandemic turned into a “riot”, local police said.
“A demonstration which started this evening at 8 pm on the Coolsingel gave rise to riots. Fires were started in several places. Fireworks were set off and the police fired several warning shots, ”Rotterdam police said in a statement.
“There are injuries linked to the shots fired,” she said.
Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte announced a week ago the reintroduction of partial containment with a series of health restrictions, notably affecting the restaurant sector, to deal with a record number of COVID-19 cases.
Bars and restaurants must close at 8 p.m., at least until December 4.
Dutch police had used a water cannon to disperse demonstrators in The Hague on the day the measures were announced.
Police also arrested 15 people last Saturday in a town in the north of the Netherlands after clashes between law enforcement and hundreds of people unhappy with the early closure of bars due to COVID-19.