03:05Netherlands: Rotterdam wakes up to broken glass and boarded up windows after 3rd night of anti-curfew unrest
Many damaged shops windows, bus and tram stops and ATM machines could be seen on the streets of Rotterdam on Tuesday, after a third consecutive night of violent riots following the curfew recently imposed by the government to contain the spread of coronavirus.
"It has to stop soon as possible, but first of all, now we need to focus on the rebuilding of city streets and communities around it," said Steven Lammering, a member of the city council.
Most of the riots and clashes between protesters and the police took place around Groene Hilledijk and Beijerlandselaan. Mayor Ahmed Aboutaleb could be been seen inspecting the area.
People in the Netherlands are no longer allowed to be outside between 21:00 and 04:30 local time (20:00 GMT and 03:30 GMT), unless they are going to work or it is an emergency, and those exempt must carry the necessary documentation when they are out between those times. Violators risk a fine of €95 ($115).
The curfew - the first of its kind to be imposed across the country since World War II - is expected to remain in place until at least February 10.
The Dutch caretaker government's website explains that the curfew has been imposed as "the requirement to stay indoors at night means that fewer people will visit or meet up with each other," adding that "research has shown that night-time curfews help to reduce the spread of the virus."
"It is vital that we reduce the infection rate now and delay the spread of the new variants. This will help ensure that hospitals have sufficient room for COVID-19 patients, and that regular medical procedures can continue as planned wherever possible," the website statement stresses.
03:05Many damaged shops windows, bus and tram stops and ATM machines could be seen on the streets of Rotterdam on Tuesday, after a third consecutive night of violent riots following the curfew recently imposed by the government to contain the spread of coronavirus.
"It has to stop soon as possible, but first of all, now we need to focus on the rebuilding of city streets and communities around it," said Steven Lammering, a member of the city council.
Most of the riots and clashes between protesters and the police took place around Groene Hilledijk and Beijerlandselaan. Mayor Ahmed Aboutaleb could be been seen inspecting the area.
People in the Netherlands are no longer allowed to be outside between 21:00 and 04:30 local time (20:00 GMT and 03:30 GMT), unless they are going to work or it is an emergency, and those exempt must carry the necessary documentation when they are out between those times. Violators risk a fine of €95 ($115).
The curfew - the first of its kind to be imposed across the country since World War II - is expected to remain in place until at least February 10.
The Dutch caretaker government's website explains that the curfew has been imposed as "the requirement to stay indoors at night means that fewer people will visit or meet up with each other," adding that "research has shown that night-time curfews help to reduce the spread of the virus."
"It is vital that we reduce the infection rate now and delay the spread of the new variants. This will help ensure that hospitals have sufficient room for COVID-19 patients, and that regular medical procedures can continue as planned wherever possible," the website statement stresses.