Paris, Europe Brief News – Anti-Covid rules protesters have advanced toward Paris on Friday in an effort to blockade the French capital, despite a police ban.
The protesters organised online, galvanised in part by truckers who have blockaded Canada’s capital and blocked border crossings.
But the French action has no clear leader or goal, and comes as months of anti-Covid protests against French government vaccination and other anti-virus rules have been waning.
Some of the French groups are threatening to continue their journey to the Brussels, the capital of the Belgium and the European Union, and to meet up there with drivers from other countries on Monday.
Belgian authorities also banned the threatened blockade, and a similar “freedom convoy” planned for Friday in Vienna was canceled after authorities banned it.
Brussels Mayor Philippe Close said in a Twitter message that officials decided to ban the ”Freedom Convoy” protest because organisers failed to seek permission to hold the event.
The protests would mirror those of truckers in Canada who have blockaded border crossings and paralysed downtown Ottawa.
New Covid Restrictions Declared
Paris has earlier announced new COVID-19 measures in a bid to stem a surge in infections across the country.
From January 3, working from home will be mandatory for at least three days per week.
Authorities will limit public gatherings to 2,000 people indoors, and to 5,000 people for outdoor events.
The new measures came as concern rises worldwide over the rapid spread of the highly transmissible Omicron variant.
The new rules will be in place for at least three weeks, French Prime Minister Jean Castex said.
Health pass measures will mainly target those vaccinated or who have tested negative for Covid-19.
Targeted segment will have access to public venues, including long-distance transport, restaurants and cafés – even France’s famed outdoor terraces.
Hence, the protests continued for the fourth weekend in a row. This came just two days before the new rules come into force.
