How anti-lockdown protesters are outwitting German police

As Germans marked the new year last night, Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s message was somewhat muted: ‘It’s clear to all of us: the pandemic is not over’, Scholz said in a televised address: ‘I appeal to all of you: let yourself be vaccinated.’ His message was aimed at the large number of Germans who are yet to be jabbed. Only 71.2 per cent of Germans are fully vaccinated, one of the lowest rates in western Europe.

As well as encouraging his countrymen to get vaccinated, Scholz and Germany’s other leaders face another problem: how to deal with protests following the introduction of new restrictions. Social gatherings across Germany have been limited to ten people since 28 December and there was no exception for New Year’s Eve. The usual crowds of people who gather at Berlin’s Brandenburg Gate were nowhere to be seen. Nightclubs remain closed and entry to non-essential shops, restaurants and bars is restricted to fully vaccinated people

Perhaps understandably, many Germans are unhappy about the imposition of such measures: throughout December, Germany has seen a steep rise in gatherings which are banned under Covid legislation.