LONDON, Sept 27 (NNN-XINHUA) – Police shut down an anti-COVID-19 restrictions protest in central London yesterday, because the crowd did not comply with social distancing rules.
At least three protesters and one police officer were reportedly injured and treated by medical staff, after they clashed at the anti-lockdown protest in Trafalgar Square.
Thousands had gathered in the “we do not consent” rally, to protest against government rules, with very few wearing masks.
Police officers penned the crowd, as water and bottles were thrown at them by the demonstrators, while police removed sound equipment and used batons against protesters, leaving some with visible injuries.
A Metropolitan Police statement said, those who stayed could face criminal penalties because they “have not complied with the conditions of their risk assessment, and are putting people in danger of transmitting the virus.”
“This has voided their risk assessment and we have informed the event organisers they are no longer exempt from the regulations.”
The rally came a week after a separate event, which saw more than a dozen officers injured and more than 32 arrests were made.
Rules in England limit indoor and outdoor gatherings to six people. Protests are exempt from the rule-of-six restrictions, but demonstrators must maintain social distance and a risk assessment must be submitted by organisers.
On Friday, London was placed on the national COVID-19 “watch list” as an area of high concern. As the virus cases continue to rise in the British capital, the mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, warned that, London is “at a very worrying tipping point right now.”
Meanwhile, countries, such as China, Russia and the United States, are racing against time to develop COVID-19 vaccines.
The British government’s Chief Scientific Adviser, Patrick Vallance, said that, it is possible that some vaccine could be available in small amounts later this year, but it is more likely that a vaccine will be available early next year, although that is not guaranteed.– NNN-XINHUA
