Massive crowds have flooded the streets of Bucharest, protesting against vaccination passports, curfews for the unvaccinated, and other newly introduced restrictions aimed at slowing the spread of coronavirus in Romania.
An estimated 15,000 people gathered in University Square and Victory Square outside government offices in Bucharest on Saturday, chanting ‘Freedom without certificates’ and ‘Down with the government.’
Huge protest in Bucharest, Romania in front of govt headquarters against weekend curfew for unvaccinated people and new mandatory health pass rules. pic.twitter.com/YKCmNA83BO
The latest round of restrictions came into effect on Sunday, limiting access to entertainment venues, as well as introducing weekend curfews for unvaccinated individuals.
Bucharest, Romania. Lockdown, corruption protest.We stand with people all across the globe! #protest#lockdownpic.twitter.com/yE8zJJUBfs
Authorities also issued mask mandates for indoor and outdoor public spaces in areas with more than six coronavirus cases per 1,000 residents, including the capital.
Massive protests in Bucharest against compulsory vaccination and the closure of the unvaccinated in the house after 8.00 pm ???????????????????? pic.twitter.com/vzT3yAeXOO
Romania, which is home to some 19 million people, ranks second-lowest for vaccinations across the 27-member state EU bloc, with less than 28% of the population vaccinated with two doses. On Tuesday, Romania began ‘recommending’ a booster jab, and sought to make vaccinations mandatory for doctors and other healthcare staff.
With a total of 1.24 million officially recorded cases and some 37,000 deaths since the beginning of the pandemic, Romania has seen a sharp spike in new infections over the past weeks, as authorities fear hospitals will soon run out of intensive care units.
?Nouvelle manifestation pour le 12ème samedi consécutif contre le #PassSanitaire et l’#ObligationVaccinale à #Paris comme ici avec le cortège des #GiletsJaunes, très encadré par les forces de l’ordre. #manifs2octobre#COVID19pic.twitter.com/fSzAL4UXnp
Meanwhile, in France, some 48,000 people hit the streets for the ninth consecutive weekend of protests. Rallies began in mid-July after President Emmanuel Macron’s government introduced a system that made presenting a vaccination certificate or negative Covid-19 test obligatory for those wishing to visit a restaurant, theater, cinema, or shopping mall, as well as those traveling on long-distance trains.
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