COPS have clashed with anti-vaccine passport protesters across Europe as countries tighten up measures to tackle Omicron.
France, Italy, Austria and Germany all saw angry demonstrations against the measures, with some turning violent.
Demonstrators took to the streets of Paris in response to President Emmanuel Macron’s vow to “p*** off” the unvaccinated.
In the French capital protesters retorted by adopting his slangy wording, chanting “We’ll p*** you off”.
Others carried signs saying “No to the vaccine pass”, a reference to Macron’s push to require proof of vaccination to enter venues such as cafes, bars and museums.
Covid booster jabs protect against Omicron and offer the best chance to get through the pandemic, health officials have repeatedly said.
Trending In The News’s Jabs Army campaign is helping get the vital extra vaccines in Brits’ arms to ward off the need for any new restrictions.
French TV images showed skirmishes between protesters and police at one site.
Protesters also rallied through the streets in Marseille, Nantes and Le Mans among other cities.
In Italy, there were protests against mandatory vaccinations for people over 50 and stricter rules for the unvaccinated.
Under the new regulations, they will not be able to do a variety of activities including using public transport and sitting at restaurants.
Germany saw police and demonstrators clash in the cities of Magdeburg and Schwerin.
The Austrian capital Vienna saw protests against the government’s measures to curb Covid.
The Austrian government is pressing ahead with plans to implement plans to make vaccination compulsory, starting in February.
The country has seen an increase in Covid cases after infections slowed during a lockdown in November and December last year.
People in France already have to show either proof of vaccination or a negative test to enter restaurants and bars and use inter-regional trains. B
But with Omicron infections surging, the government wants to drop the test option.
France recorded more than 300,000 new coronavirus infections for the second time in a week on Friday.
Hospitalisations, including COVID-19 patients in intensive care are rising steadily, putting the healthcare system under strain.
Earlier this month, police armed with batons and shields clashed with thousands of anti-lockdown protesters in the Netherlands.
Crowds gathered in Amsterdam‘s Museum Square to object against Covid-19 measures and vaccinations – despite a country-wide ban on group meet-ups.
