Protests in Brussels against new Covid restrictions

By Tina Fares and Jessica Merjaneh

Face mask regulations have been increased in Belgium. Most Belgians will be forced to work 4 days a week from home up until mid-December. They also plan to make vaccines for healthcare workers mandatory.

On Saturday, people started throwing fireworks at the police and were setting fire to other things such as bicycles in The Hague. One night after, protests in Rotterdam took a violent turn and police began to fire gunshots.

According to Politico, Police estimate 35,000 people attended the demonstration against stricter rules to combat rising cases.

They also explain how the new rules, which went into effect over the weekend, include compulsory mask-wearing for anyone aged 10 and above for indoor and certain outdoor activities, as well as making home-working mandatory four days a week and limiting the number of people present at gatherings.