Several thousand demonstrators, some of whom came from other European countries, marched in Brussels on Sunday to protest against the health pass and the restrictions linked to the Covid-19 pandemic, AFP journalists noted.
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The participants in this parade, more filled than previous processions, carried signs criticizing Prime Minister Alexander De Croo as well as the health pass. Demonstrations against the health certificate – required to access restaurants and cultural events in particular – have been taking place regularly for several weeks in the Belgian capital. Some of the previous rallies had been marked by clashes with the police.
The organizers, including the World Wide Demonstration for Freedom and Europeans United for Freedom movements, had invited demonstrators from other European countries to participate this Sunday.
Dutch, Polish or Romanian flags were visible in the procession.
"
What has happened since 2020 has made people wake up
," said Francesca Fanara, from Lille in northern France.
Criticizing “
a health dictatorship
”, Adolfo Barbosa, who arrived from Portugal, declared that “
it warms the heart to see these people here
”.
Tensions on the sidelines of the demonstration
Several journalists on the spot show the tensions which take place on the sidelines of the demonstration, in particular near the European institutions.
The protest comes as some governments move towards reducing health restrictions, despite the persistence of the Omicron variant of Covid-19.
Omicron is now dominant in the European Union and the European Economic Area, the European health agency announced on Friday.
Belgium experienced a jump in daily cases of more than 60,000 last week, with authorities referring to a “
tsunami
”.
But the less deleterious effects of the Omicron variant and a high rate of vaccination have allowed the health system to be less under pressure than during previous waves.
In this context, the Prime Minister announced on Friday that restaurants and bars could extend their opening hours - nightclubs will remain closed.
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In France, the government announced Thursday evening the lifting, in February, of most of the restrictions taken to curb the epidemic: end of wearing a mask outdoors and compulsory teleworking, reopening of nightclubs and return of standing concerts.
