Hundreds of protesters marched in Switzerland on Saturday against coronavirus restrictions, after the health minister said the current restrictions would remain in effect until the end of February.
Approximately 500 protesters marched through the Swiss city of Zug to protest what they see as unfair restrictions, Reuters reported.
Switzerland tightened its rules last month, closing non-essential stores, requiring masks in stores that remain open and having employees working from home if possible and limit meetings to five people.
Reuters reported that protesters protesting in Switzerland Extension of restrictions by the Minister of Health, Alain Berset he wore protective clothing and carried signs with the words: “Wearing a mask is modern slavery”.
Most countries around the world affected by the coronavirus require their citizens to wear masks, as health officials say facial coverings help stem the spread of the virus.
“I want to make a statement, that citizens are the ones in control, and the state should be there to serve its citizens,” a protest person told Reuters.
“I’m a grandmother,” said another person. “I don’t want my grandchildren to grow up in a world where so much is prohibited.”
Switzerland has lighter restrictions than some other countries, with its schools still open. However, the debate continues around the world as to how far the coronavirus restrictions should go.
No arrests were made in Saturday’s protest, as the police stayed out of the way of the protesters, Reuters reported.
Switzerland has seen almost 9,000 killed and 530,000 infected since the start of the pandemic, with new concerns surrounding a strain of the virus in the UK, which has proved more contagious and possibly more deadly.