Authorities Of French Martinique Impose Curfew Due To Riots Against COVID-19 Restrictions

Muhammad Irfan Published November 26, 2021 | 01:50 PM

PARIS (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 26th November, 2021) The authorities of the French overseas department of Martinique have imposed a curfew to restore order after nightly violent protests against COVID-19 restrictions rocked the area, the prefecture said on Thursday.

In November, French media reported on the large-scale anti-COVID-19 restrictions protests in Martinique. According to the BFMTV channel, some protesters fired at gendarmes using live bullets. The riots went on for several days.

"Stanislas Kazel, prefect of Martinique, condemns acts of violence in the strongest terms and imposes a curfew from 19:00 to 5:00 until calm is restored to ensure the work of the police forces," the prefecture said in a statement published on Twitter.

The measures came into effect on Thursday.

According to the statement, the violent acts have been taking place in the department's cities at night since Monday. The authorities say that the perpetrators have caused material damage and perpetrated violence against security forces.

In response, law enforcement officers have used force.

Local police have arrested 11 people and seized several weapons.

Martinique is not the only French overseas department shaken by COVID-19 protests. On Monday, French President Emmanuel Macron said that the situation in another French overseas department of Guadeloupe, where clashes occurred during protests against sanitary measures and mandatory vaccinations, is "very explosive."

In August, French authorities enhanced lockdown measures in some overseas territories over a rise in hospitalizations caused by the spread of the Delta COVID-19 variant, known to be more contagious.

Since August 9, sanitary passes in France are mandatory for visiting cafes, restaurants, as well as for flights and trips on long-distance trains. The document represents for the bearer evidence of full cycle of vaccination against COVID-19, the presence of a negative test for the infection or confirmation of having recovered from COVID-19.