{"id":132514,"date":"2021-07-16T18:49:17","date_gmt":"2021-07-16T18:49:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/precoinnews.com\/?p=132514"},"modified":"2021-07-16T18:49:17","modified_gmt":"2021-07-16T18:49:17","slug":"french-police-fire-tear-gas-at-crowds-protesting-new-covid-rules","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/precoinnews.com\/world-news\/french-police-fire-tear-gas-at-crowds-protesting-new-covid-rules\/","title":{"rendered":"French police fire tear gas at crowds protesting new Covid rules"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Protesters and police in Paris clashed as demonstrations raged against plans to introduce stricter coronavirus measures.<\/p>\n
President Emmanuel Macron had announced sweeping rules to fight a surge in cases caused by the Delta variant.<\/p>\n
They included the mandatory vaccination of health workers and a health pass for the public \u2014 which means a jab certificate or negative virus test will be required to enter cafes, bars, restaurants, malls and cinemas.<\/p>\n
Officers fired tear gas on several occasions in the clashes, as some people overturned bins and set a mechanical digger alight. Others wore badges saying: \u2018No to the health pass.\u2019<\/p>\n
Nantes, Marseille and Montpellier also saw protests.<\/p>\n
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Mr Macron has said the jab is the best way to put France back on the path to normality.<\/p>\n
But critics of his plan, set to come into effect next month, have accused him of trampling on freedoms and discriminating against the unvaccinated.<\/p>\n
\u2018It\u2019s totally arbitrary and wholly undemocratic,\u2019 said one demonstrator, who identified himself as Jean-Louis.<\/p>\n
The show of discontent began on Bastille Day \u2014 the anniversary of the 1789 storming of a medieval fortress in Paris which marked the turning point in the French Revolution.<\/p>\n
Among other proposals in the government\u2019s draft bill is mandatory ten-day isolation for anyone who tests positive, with police making random checks, French media reported. The government did not confirm this.<\/p>\n
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