LIVE: COVID sceptics march in Berlin, counter-protests expected

Ruptly is live from Berlin on Saturday, December 4, as COVID-19 sceptics demonstrate against the restrictions in place to curb the spread of the pandemic. A new set of national restrictions was approved on Thursday, in an emergency meeting on COVID-19 between German Chancellor Angela Merkel, her designated successor Olaf Scholz, and the country’s regional leaders. One major takeaway from the meeting was that the hardest-hit areas will be able to impose further curbs. The implementation of a vaccination mandate was also discussed, pending approval by the Bundestag. Germany is currently battling against a rising numbers of coronavirus infections amid worldwide unease at the spread of the new Omicron variant. The nation aims to tighten the restrictions on the unvaccinated and requires additional tests for those who are vaccinated, in order to try and break the fourth wave of the pandemic before Christmas.