Authorities of French Martinique Impose Curfew due to Riots Against COVID-19 Restrictions
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PARIS (Sputnik) - 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.
"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.
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.
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".
The wreckage of a burnt car blocks a road in Fort-de-France on November 23, 2021 as a general strike has been called for November 22 in the French west indies island of Martinique, calling for an end to obligatory Covid-19 vaccination for health workers but also for wage rises and other social grievances.
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In August, French authorities enhanced lockdown measures in some overseas territories over a rise in hospitalisations caused by the spread of the Delta COVID-19 variant, known to be more contagious.
Since 9 August, 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 the full cycle of vaccination against COVID-19, the presence of a negative test for the infection or confirmation of having recovered from COVID-19.
