Dutch police disperse anti-lockdown protesters in Amsterdam

Opponents of restrictions imposed in the Netherlands to contain the spread of COVID-19 protest despite a ban by local authorities, in Amsterdam, Netherlands, January 2, 2022. REUTERS/Piroschka van de Wouw

AMSTERDAM (Reuters) -Riot police with batons and shields broke up a crowd of several thousand who had gathered in Amsterdam on Sunday to protest against COVID-19 lockdown measures and vaccinations.

Public gatherings of more than two people are prohibited under restrictions imposed by the Netherlands in an effort to prevent the Omicron variant of the coronavirus overwhelming an already strained healthcare system.