Crowds have gathered today in Brussels to protest against Covid vaccine passports across the bloc. Local journalist Justin Stares reported that local police are using tear gas and water cannons to disperse the protesters. Sharing updates on the protest, he tweeted: “Police using tear gas to clear streets near European Commission”, adding: “It’s now pretty chaotic.”
Reporting from a nearby street he wrote: “If they tear gas this street people could get hurt”
He also said that water cannons are “in constant use”.
The EU introduced their Digital Covid Certificate in July, and is available for anyone who has received two doses of the vaccine or has recovered from the virus.
All European Union Member States and Schengen Area Associated countries – Iceland, Switzerland, Norway and Lichtenstein – are implementing the pass.
Meanwhile, on Friday, restrictions in Belgium were tightened for the third week in a row, when Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo announced that kindergartens and primary schools will close a week early for the Christmas holidays and Children must wear masks from the age of six.
The country has already closed nightclubs and required people to work from home as part of an effort to curb COVID-19 cases.
Bars and restaurants are also required to shut from 11pm, and events held indoors must be seated.
Private meetings, besides weddings and funerals, are banned.
Mr De Croo said 40% of intensive care beds were filled by COVID-19 patients and people were not getting the treatment they need, “a situation that cannot be tolerated”.
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