‘No mandatory vax!’ Fireworks thrown as violence erupts at Covid protest in Germany

Some held a sign which, translated to English, read: “Youth against compulsory vaccination.”

Bottles and fireworks were thrown at police through the evening, according to CNN.

The protests have been branded some of the most violent demonstrations against Covid restrictions in Europe since the pandemic began.

Their increased intensity has followed the ramping up of Covid restrictions across Europe.

Germany’s new chancellor, Olaf Scholz, backs the forced vaccination of all adults, bar those who are, for limited reasons, exempt.

He is hoping for a law to be drafted that could be voted on in February.

A lockdown of the unvaccinated was also agreed late last month, preventing those who had not been jabbed from living their lives as normal.

At the time, around 14million Germans had not been vaccinated.

READ MORE: Nicola Sturgeon BARRED from chain for damaging lockdown rules

Current rules in Germany dictate that only 10 vaccinated or Covid-recovered people can gather together at one time.

For those who are not vaccinated, the limit is just two people from one other household.

CNN reports that 500 people marched in Bautzen, Saxony, on Monday evening.

Twelve police officers were injured during demonstrations and 12 emergency vehicles damaged.

Close to 200 protesters were hit with ‘administrative violations’.

Strict Covid measures have been introduced amid the emergence of the Omicron variant.

While scientists continue to work to discover its characteristics, it is currently understood that Omicron spreads more quickly but is less severe than previous Covid strains.

The UK Government, likely upon hearing about Omicron’s lower severity, decided not to impose further restrictions in England over the New Year’s period.

It has, however, decided to force a range of unvaccinated NHS workers out of their jobs and to limit the accessibility of social events for those who have chosen not to get jabbed.