Protest against Covid measures leaves 13 emergency service personnel injured in Germany

Protesters congregated in the German city of Mannheim to demonstrate against measures introduced to help limit the spread of coronavirus. However, local news outlets have reported scenes took a turn for the worse as 13 emergency service personnel were left injured during the protest.

Protesters, who ignored the ban on gathering together, apparently put up resistance when elevators were stopped.

Several people have been arrested for acts of resistance and physical attacks, with the Berliner Morgenpost suggesting as many as 13 have been taken into custody or polizeigewahrsam.

The German newspaper, based in the capital some 388miles away from the demonstration, also claimed it remains to be seen whether one individual will appear before a judge for bodily harm.

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However, an additional 131 people were said to have been reported for violating the assembly law.

Germany reported 50,968 new COVID-19 cases on Friday and around 70 percent of the nation’s population is now fully vaccinated.

Berlin recently introduced a fresh travel ban on those arriving from the United Kingdom after Germany identified Britain as a virus variant area of concern.

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German Health Minister Karl Lauterbach, 58, warned Omicron could unleash a “massive fifth wave” of the pandemic.

According to information website deutschland.de, coronavirus regulations imposed from December 2 include a ban on state unvaccinated people shopping in grocery stores, pharmacies and drugstores, introducing a 30 to 50 percent restriction on capacity for those attending large events and meetings of unvaccinated people must be limited to one’s own household and a maximum of two persons from another household.

The website also claims Germans will be “banned” from attending public gatherings on New Year’s Eve and the sale of fireworks will be prohibited.