Brussels police suppress rally against strict anti-COVID-19 measures

Brussels [Belgium], January 31 (ANI/Sputnik): An unauthorised protest against tougher measures to combat coronavirus was suppressed by police on Sunday in the center of Brussels, a Sputnik correspondent reported.
Earlier in the day, several protesters took to the square in front of the central station of the Belgian capital. They were chanting slogans against what they believe to be very excessive bans imposed by the Belgian government, which "violate the rights and freedoms of citizens."
Reinforced police units immediately came to the square and pushed the protesters out. Several people were detained.
The organisers of the action previously asked for permission to hold it, but the authorities refused to authorize the event.
Several thousand people announced their intention to take part in the rally on Sunday in social networks, so the organizers themselves announced cancellation of the event. Nevertheless, a number of protesters still took to the square.
Despite significant improvements of the epidemiological situation in Belgium, a curfew is still in place, bars and restaurants are closed, and mass gatherings are prohibited. In addition, from January 27 to March 1, the authorities banned travel outside the country without a proper reason. (ANI/Sputnik)