Lockdown protestors burned down a COVID testing site in Urk, a Dutch fishing village.
- The riots took place after the government imposed a nationwide curfew.
- Protestors reportedly destroyed police cars and hurled bricks and fireworks at officers.
- Officials condemned the riots, claiming that they are “a slap in the face” for the local health authority staff.
A violent mob in the Netherlands caused chaos as rioters protested lockdown measures.
The Independent reported that the rioters have been accused of setting fire to a COVID testing site in the Dutch fishing village of Urk. In addition to this, they have reportedly destroyed police cars and attacked police officers by hurling bricks and fireworks at them. These events transpired after the government imposed a nationwide curfew that runs from 9:00 pm to 4:30 am – the first curfew introduced in the Netherlands since World War II. According to local media, the mob “went to the village’s harbour area just after the 9pm deadline and set the drive-in coronavirus test centre on fire.”
Local authorities commented on the protests, TIME reported.
This is not only unacceptable, but also a slap in the face, especially for the local health authority staff who do all they can at the test center to help people from Urk.
Health Minister Hugo de Jonge condemned the riots:
The fire in a screening centre in Urk goes beyond all limits.
Urk Mayor Cees van den Bos also commented:
I am so ashamed of what has happened.
We want peace in Urk.
The curfew will remain in force until February 9. According to the Independent, it was approved last week after politicians feared that the variant discovered in the UK will cause a new surge in cases.
Those who break the curfew risk being fined €95. At time of writing, over 5,700 fines have been issued.
