Police arrested 200 people demonstrating in central Brussels on Sunday against measures to curb rising infections of the coronavirus, according to local media.
Both Bruzz and Le Soir reported the arrests occurred as police broke up limited demonstrations around Brussels’ central train station and the Mont des Arts area.
Authorities on Thursday refused the protesters a permit to demonstrate amid concerns that gathering crowds could spread the coronavirus. Demonstration organizer Jos Jr complied with the order, writing on Facebook that “the COVID-19 measures cannot be respected.”
“In addition, there are too many signs of violent encounters, something I have always disapproved and so resolutely distanced myself from,” he wrote. “However, I remain critical of some overly strict measures that mean that certain sectors are still not allowed to reopen with certainty.”
The police on Sunday reiterated the appeal that people should not gather.
Belgium’s Prime Minister Alexander De Croo last week decided to stop all non-essential travel in and out of the country until March 1 to prevent a new spike in infections.
The travel restriction comes on top of existing measures that include a curfew, mandatory teleworking and the closure of restaurants and bars except for takeaways. Some Belgian cities and municipalities have stricter rules in place.
