In Germany, thousands gather to protest against country's COVID-19 policies

Tens of thousands of people protested against coronavirus restrictions in Germany's Hamburg, local media reported. Over 3,300 demonstrators gared in Hamburg's Barmbek district alone on January 15, according to local police. Many of demonstrators, according to a report by Deutsche Welle, were not wearing face masks and were breaking social distancing laws. y were chanting anti-vaccination and anti-quarantine slogans.

Earlier, more than 45,000 people marched on streets of Germany on January 8 to protest against COVID-19 restrictions. Around 14,000 anti-vaccination demonstrators marched through Hamburg's downtown. At beginning of January, Germany strengned coronavirus limitations, and government is considering making COVID-19 immunisation mandatory for all ults. Up to 7,000 people gared in Dusseldorf to oppose vaccine mandates, according to police, Deutsche Welle reported.

Moreover, similar incidents occurred at Freiburg, Ben-Württemberg, in sourn part of state. According to authorities, some 2,500 people demonstrated against conspiracies related to vaccines. At same time, 6,000 people protested against country's coronavirus protocols. In dition, hundreds of people protested against coronavirus restrictions in norrn German cities of Schwerin and Flensburg, according to German public brocaster NDR.

Germany aims to vaccinate 80% of population by January end

German government aims to vaccinate 80% of its population by end of January in midst of fifth COVID-19 wave, which was mostly blamed on spre of Omicron variant. A little over 70% of German individuals have been properly vaccinated against coronavirus. According to estimate, 45% of people have h a booster shot. In a recent speech in Parliament, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz argued for a vaccine mandate for all ults.

According to local polls, a majority of Germans support mandatory COVID-19 immunisation. However, a vociferous minority opposes mandate. Vaccine mandates are also supported by Health Minister Karl Lauterbach. To stop illness from spreing, he has consistently vocated for a mix of compulsory vaccinations and contact restrictions.

Anti-vaccination protests elsewhere in world

Similar protests took place in several European nations on Saturday, including Italy, Austria, and France, as governments come closer to making COVID-19 vaccines mandatory. 

Italy has also tightened limits and mandated vaccines for anyone over 50, whereas Austria's Parliament is set to vote on a vaccination mandate next week. Similarly, French legislators are contemplating stricter measures for unvaccinated.

(With inputs from agencies, Image: Unsplash/Representative)