Anti-lockdown protests in Prague disband soon after starting

Organizers from the Chcípl PES anti-lockdown group disbanded a protest event at Prague's Old Town Square shortly after it started at 2:00 p.m. today.

Ahead of the protest, police sealed off the square. They only allowed 100 participants, the maximum allowed under current regulations, inside the square.

Dozens of protesters demanded entry, but police did not allow them in.

A similar situation occurred earlier at Prague's Wenceslas Square, where the group My společně organized a protest rally against Czech lockdown measures. The protest was scheduled to start at 1:00 p.m.

Police only allowed 100 protesters in an area sealed off by red and white barriers. Dozens of other people with Czech flags demanded entry, but police only admitted those who live in the area.

Under current anti-COVID-19 regulations, a maximum of 100 people can attend public demonstrations.

Due to the police presence, organizers ended the protest shortly after it started.

Some of the protesters moved on to the National Theatre to continue demonstrating. The rest dispersed.

Earlier this week, police said they would monitor the observance of anti-COVID-19 regulations at the planned demonstrations. Participants should wear respirators and observe social distancing measures.

Several buses full of people heading into Prague from other districts for the protests were turned away by police. Under current measures, district borders are closed, too.