Saudi Press

Saudi Arabia and the world
Tuesday, Mar 31, 2026

Photos: Europeans protest Covid-19 restrictions

Photos: Europeans protest Covid-19 restrictions

Protesters in several European countries gathered over the weekend to push back against new Covid-19 restrictions. Some of the demonstrations turned violent.

There were clashes Friday night in the Dutch city of Rotterdam, and police were forced to fire gunshots to disperse the crowd. The Netherlands recently re-entered three weeks of partial lockdown because of the coronavirus.

Rioting broke out at The Hague, Netherlands, on Saturday. Video from the scene showed riot police deploying water cannons and charging groups of demonstrators. Five police officers were hurt.

There were also some clashes in Vienna, Austria, where an estimated 40,000 protesters crowded the streets on Saturday. Austria re-introduced a partial lockdown on Monday and will make vaccinations mandatory from February next year.

Protesters gather in Rotterdam's Coolsingel street on Friday.

A protester burns a face mask during an anti-lockdown demonstration in Vienna, Austria, on Saturday.

Members and supporters of the French Nationalist Party demonstrate in front of the Louvre Museum in Paris on Saturday. They were protesting against the Covid-19 health pass needed for certain activities in the country.

A man burns a flag during a protest in Zagreb, Croatia, on Saturday. Around 15,000 people were protesting the Croatian government's coronavirus measures. From Monday, only people with Covid passports can enter government and public buildings in Croatia.

A man walks in front of a fire that was started in a street in The Hague, Netherlands, on Saturday. Rioting broke out over the Dutch government's new coronavirus measures.

Green smoke envelops a police officer during the protests in Vienna on Saturday.

People protest in Zagreb on Saturday.

A protester clashes with police in Brussels, Belgium, on Sunday.

Police work at the scene of protests in Rotterdam on Friday.

Anti-lockdown protesters hold torches in Vienna on Saturday.

A man is detained by police during protests in Vienna on Saturday. More than 1,400 police officers were deployed across Austria to maintain public order, according to a police statement.

Protesters in London hold photos of veterans' coffins as they protest Covid-19 restrictions on Saturday.

Newsletter

Related Articles

Saudi Press
0:00
0:00
Close
Saudi Arabia Urges Trump to Lead Strategic Reset in Middle East as UAE Weighs Ground Role
Reed Smith Expands Saudi Presence with Senior Corporate Appointments
Trump Announces Approval of F-35 Fighter Jet Sale to Saudi Arabia
BBC Faces Scrutiny Over Allegations of Paid Content Linked to Saudi Arabia
Ukraine Secures Defense Agreements with Qatar and Saudi Arabia as UAE Talks Advance
Oil Prices Surge as Saudi Arabia Adjusts Supply Amid Escalating Iran Tensions
Saudi Arabia Condemns Attacks on Kurdistan Leaders and Reaffirms Backing for Iraq’s Stability
Saudi Arabia Weighs Strategic Interests as Iran Conflict Raises Regional Stakes
Severe Thunderstorms Sweep Across UAE and Saudi Arabia Bringing Heavy Rainfall
Trump’s Strategic Alignment with Saudi Arabia Reflects Expanding Economic and Diplomatic Synergy
Saudi Arabia Strongly Condemns Attacks on Presidential Residences in Hawler
Saudi Stocks Edge Lower as Tadawul Index Closes Slightly Down
Houthis Enter Expanding Iran Conflict as US Deploys Additional Troops
Iran Seeks Assurances for Regional Allies as Saudi Arabia Presses for Firm Security Guarantees
Iranian Strike Reportedly Destroys $270 Million US E-3 Sentry Aircraft at Saudi Air Base
Iranian Strike on Saudi Base Leaves Ten American Personnel Injured
Ukraine Claims Russia Shared Satellite Intelligence with Iran Ahead of Saudi Base Strike
Pakistan Engages Regional Powers in Diplomatic Talks Over Iran Conflict
Escalating Iran Conflict Brings Renewed Focus to US Military Presence in Saudi Arabia
Iranian Strike Targets Saudi Airbase, Damaging Key US Military Assets
Modi and Saudi Crown Prince Emphasise Secure Shipping Routes in Talks on West Asia Conflict
Dallas-Based Company Secures One Billion Dollar Hotel Development Deal in Saudi Arabia
Zelensky Secures Defence Cooperation Deals with Gulf States During Strategic Regional Tour
Trump Calls on Saudi Arabia to Join Abraham Accords in Push for Expanded Middle East Cooperation
Trump Balances Humor and Praise in Remarks on Saudi Crown Prince
Saudi Arabia’s Strategic Pipeline Reaches Seven Million Barrel Capacity to Bypass Hormuz
Rubio Signals U.S. Could Conclude Iran Conflict Within Weeks as Air Campaign Intensifies
More Than a Dozen U.S. Soldiers Injured in Saudi Base Attack as Iran-Backed Houthis Expand Conflict
Iranian Strike on US Base in Saudi Arabia Injures Troops and Damages Aircraft
Pakistan to Convene Regional Talks with Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Egypt Amid Iran War Diplomacy
Ukraine and Saudi Arabia Reach ‘Mutually Beneficial’ Defence Agreement
Ukraine to Share Battlefield Expertise with Saudi Arabia Under New Defence Agreement
Trump Takes Center Stage at Saudi Arabia’s FII Miami Amid Escalating Iran Conflict
Gulf States Explore Pipeline Routes to Bypass Strait of Hormuz Amid Rising Tensions
Iran Conflict Drives Saudi Arabia to Deepen Security Ties with Ukraine
Saudi Arabia Reviews Desert Ski Resort Plans with Cancellation of Key Building Contracts
Saudi Arabia Targets Business Hotel Shortfall with $1 Billion Development Push
Iran and Allied Forces Intensify Strikes on Energy Sites and Urban Areas Across Region
Ukraine and Saudi Arabia Formalise Defence Cooperation Agreement, Zelenskiy Announces
Saudi Arabia Reportedly Presses US to Intensify Operations Against Iran
Saudi Arabia Expands Maritime Network with Launch of Six New Shipping Services
Saudi Arabia Launches FII Summit Amid Heightened Focus on Global Stability and Investment Risks
Saudi Arabia’s HUMAIN Secures First US Customer in Expansion of AI Capabilities
Saudi Arabia Calls on US to Seize Strategic Opportunity to Reshape the Middle East
Saudi Arabia’s Strategic Investments Help Shape Silicon Valley’s Rise
Saudi Arabia Announces Passing of King Abdullah, Marking End of an Era
Saudi Arabia May Shift From Neutrality to Retaliation if Houthi Attacks Escalate, Experts Warn
UAE and Saudi Arabia Urge Decisive US Action on Iran as Regional Pressure Intensifies
Zelensky Visits Saudi Arabia After Offering Ukraine’s Drone Expertise
Saudi Arabia Pauses Ambitious Desert Ski Project Amid Strategic Reassessment
×